Urbanization in Pakistan

Pakistan is the "most urbanized" country of South Asia, because 32% rural population already has migrated to urban areas with dreams of better future. Due to this migration, on one side in urban settlements the serious problems of shelter, environment and employment are re-surfacing then, on the other side urban facilities and services are interrupting badly. These are the words said in a report of United Nations, prepared with the collaboration with the Population fund of the international organization. According to the report, the reason behind 24% increase in urban population of Pakistan is not only people coming from the rural areas but apart from that its also foreign migrants. The number of these foreigners are said to be 2 to 3 million, majority of these are Bangladeshis. Apart from these, 3 million Afghan refugees are also present. Natural rate of increase in the population of urban areas is consistently 2.6%, but with all this the swiftness at which population of cities are increasing it is sensed that Pakistan's population would reach 220 million till 2020.

Whereas 33% population dwell in urban areas, that's why a growth rate of 3.5% is noted, and clearly the speed at which the population of cities are increasing, the need for urban facilities and services are also being required accordingly, now the situation is that about 50% of the total population is living in houses composed of only one room, where there's no reasonable facilities for health care, cleanliness and no system of sanitation.

It is said in this United Nation's report that there has already been 7 times increase in the urban population of Pakistan. In 1951 the total population of Pakistani cities were 6 million, which increased to 340 million in 1998. Unfortunately with the speedy increase in the urban population, the basic urban facilities weren't provided with the same speed. Due to the unchecked increase in population, illegal settlements (Kachi aabadian, jhonpriyan) and its...