Socioeconomic analysis: A case of Tharparkar

• Author: Saeed Siyal,Abdul Waheed Siyal,Xiaobao Peng
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1002/pa.1847
• Date: 01 November 2018
• Published date: 01 November 2018

ACADEMIC PAPER

Socioeconomic analysis: A case of Tharparkar

Saeed Siyal

1

|Xiaobao Peng

1

|Abdul Waheed Siyal

2

1

School of Public Affairs, University of

Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China

2

School of Management, University of

Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China

Correspondence

Saeed Siyal, School of Public Affairs,

University of Science and Technology of

China, Hefei, China.

Email: saeed@mail.ustc.edu.cn

Tharparkar is oneof the arid zones of Sindh province whichis highly affected due to its

drought natureand the changes in climate. Thesechanges are posing the seriousthreats

to the life and livelihood of the surrounding community. This study aims to explore the

social and economicconditions of theTharparkar and the role of governmentand social

enterprisesand nongovernmentalorganizations(NGOs) to make the livelihoodand socio-

economic conditions of the Tharparkar better and comfortable. The data was collected

from the currentliterature, visits tothe studied population, andinterviews from the com-

mon people and some officials of government as wellas social enterprises and NGOs.

1|DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1 What are the current social issues and living conditions of the

people of Tharparkar?

2 What is the role of government in solving the social issues and

improving the living conditions of the people of Tharparkar?

3 What is the role of social enterprises and nongovernmental orga-

nizations (NGOs) in solving the social issues and improving the liv-

ing conditions of the people of Tharparkar?

2|THARPARKAR: CURRENT ISSUES AND

LIVING CONDITIONS

Tharparkar is one of the several districts of Sindh province of Pakistan,

consisting of several talukas or subdistricts, namely, Mithi, Diplo,

Chachro, and Nagarparkar (Herani, Rajar, & Dhakan, 2007). Its head-

quarter is Mithi. The Human development Index of Tharparkar is the

lowest of all the other districts of Sindh (“Riphah Social Welfare Depart-

ment Tharparkar ………The Drought”,2016). Tharparkar is the only dis-

trict of Pakistan that has more than 50% of Hindu population with a

total population of 1.65 million (Pakistan, 2018). The political history

shows that the government inTharparkar as well as in the whole prov-

ince of Sindh is governed by Pakistan people's party for many years up

till now. It has a literacy ratio of 18.32%, with higher male literacy rate

of 28.33% as compared with that of female which is 6.91% in 1998.

The literacy ratio of Tharparkar shows sharp differences by sex and

area. In urban areas, the ratio is 57.27% as compared with that of rural

that is only 16.35% (Herani et al., 2007). Due to being deserted area,

Tharparkar lacks rainfalls and permanent source of fresh water that

results in causing diseases (Facilitated, 2014). The desert inTharparkar

is the largest desert in Pakistan and the 18th largest desert of the world

covering 22,000 km of area (Members, 2015).

InTharparkar, several diseases exist in humans and animals. The ani-

mal disease sheep pox is caused because of the drought conditions

(Report et al., 2013), and certain diseases also exist in peacocks (Mem-

bers, 2015). Consequently, due to drought conditions and poverty rea-

sons, the women are also devoid of proper medical care and diet, which

causes the abnormalities, exposure to disease, and premature or early

deaths. The unavailability of freshwater makes people drink saline

water, which causes abdominal problems in men, women, and children,

and the color of their teeth turns yellow because of the continuous use

of saline water (Members, 2015). Due to the lack of basic health infra-

structure, small ratio of doctors deprived maternity services. Very high

birth rates, huge families, malnutrition, and high occurrence of disease

caused by water are recognized as the main reason of infant mortality.

Several such deaths remain unreported (Drought, 2014). Present occur-

rence of malnutrition is caused because of the increasing deaths in live-

stock. Other health issues existing in Tharparkar include pneumonia,

diarrhea, and weight loss during birth and early deliveries. Mobility issue

is one of the major challenge faced by the communities because the

health and other facilities are at a certain distance and people have to

travel long to avail them (Province, 2014).

3|ROLE OF GOVERNMENT

Tharparkar has beenhighlighted for his worst drought conditions since

long due to beingthe deserted part of the province. The Governmentof

Sindh has taken certain initiatives to improve the social and economic

conditionsof the people residing there. It hasbeen endeavoring to pro-

vide the basic facilitates including food, health, and education, which

Received: 7 June 2018 Accepted: 17 June 2018

DOI: 10.1002/pa.1847

J Public Affairs. 2018;18:e1847.

https://doi.org/10.1002/pa.1847

© 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/pa 1of3