Pakistan, meaning "Land of the Pure" in Urdu, was established in 1947 when India was divided in two by the departing British. It was created as a Muslim state, leaving India to the majority Hindu population. The partition resulted in mass migration of Hindus and Muslims across the border, sparking communal violence that continues to erupt periodically today. The two countries still fight over the India-controlled regions of Jammu and Kashmir along the border.
Rural Poverty
Today, Pakistan has one of the fastest growing populations in the world, and is experiencing a period of economic growth. Economic advances have primarily benefited the urban population; 75% of the rural population remains impoverished. These communities lack access to basic services, infrastructure, education, and health care. After the September 11th attacks in 2001, Pakistan allied with the U.S. against the Taliban in Afghanistan. As a result, the U.S. gave Pakistan over $10 billion in aid, but most of the funding went to the military rather than to address poverty. Although governments under first General Pervez Musharraf and later, President Asif Ali Zardari have promised to restore the economy, the country has faced poor governance, corruption, and disregard for human rights.
Women
In Pakistan, over 70% of those living in poverty are women. In some areas as few as 20% of women are literate. They face mistreatment, abuse, higher rates of malnutrition, and severely limited access to education, health care, and employment. Despite the many obstacles to addressing women's rights, human rights, and poverty in Pakistan, the country is starting to make some changes. In 2006, the Women's Protection Bill was passed, transferring jurisdiction over cases of adultery and rape from Islamic law to criminal courts. Support is increasing for a number of organizations that support income generation, microfinance, and rights education for women across the country.
Natural Disasters
The earthquake in 2005 devastated regions of the country that already faced significant challenges; more than 74,000 Pakistanis were killed, 70,000 injured and over 2.8 million left homeless in and around Kashmir. The world responded with millions of dollars in aid designated to provide health care, supplies, shelter, water, and education to affected populations, but most people continue to live in poor conditions with limited access to resources. Endemic poverty and earthquake devastation were compounded by the floods of August 2010, the worst in Pakistani history. Thousands died and 13.8 million people, over half of whom are women and children, have been seriously affected; with high risk of diseases such as cholera, the toll is expected to rise.