Urbanization
Urbanization in Pakistan has increased since the time of independence and has several
different causes. The majority of southern
Pakistan's population lives along the Indus
River. Karachi is its most populous city .In the
northern half of the country, most of the
population lives in an arc formed by the cities
of Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Islamabad,
Gujranwala, Sialkot, Gujrat, Jhelum, Sargodha, Sheikhupura, Nowshera, Mardan and Peshawar.
During 1990–2008, city dwellers made up 36% of Pakistan's population, making it the most
urbanized nation in South Asia. Furthermore, 50% of Pakistanis live in towns of 5,000 people or
more.
Historical causes of urbanization
Ethnic Groups in Urban Pakistan
The British relinquished control of the colony in 1947 with the Great Partition of India and
Pakistan, leaving the region in turmoil because of the vacuum of power, and the resulting mass
migrations. The repercussions can still be seen today, as many still lack basic food and housing
security in both India and Pakistan. Much of this was caused by the loss and destruction of
property – and therefore capital and financial stability – during the migrations. Additionally, this
rapid movement to and overcrowding of cities has led to the emergence of slums, known as the
"katchi abadis" in Karachi.
Immigration, both from within and outside the country, is regarded as one of the main factors
that have contributed to urbanization in Pakistan. One analysis of the 1998 Pakistan
Census highlighted the significance of the independence of Pakistan in 1947 in the 1940s in the
context of understanding the urban change in Pakistan. During the independence period,
Muslim Muhajirs from India migrated in large numbers and shifted their domicile to Pakistan,
especially to the port city of Karachi, which is today the largest metropolis in Pakistan.
Migration from other countries, mainly those in the neighborhood, has further catalyzed the
process of urbanization in Pakistani cities. Of particular interest is migration that occurred in the
aftermath of the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, in the form of stranded Bihari’s who were
relocated to Pakistan. Smaller numbers of Bengalis and Burmese immigrants followed suit much
later. The Soviet invasion in the 1980s forced millions of Afghan refugees into Pakistan, but
most of them have been repatriated since 2002. Inevitably, the rapid urbanization caused by these
large population movements has also brought new political and socio-economic complexities.
In addition to immigration, economic events such as the Green Revolution and political
developments, among a host of other factors, are also important causes of urbanization.
Province wise.
In 1998, 32.52% of Pakistani lived in Urban areas and has risen to 36.38% in 2017. In the 2017
census, the Urbanization trend has increased in all administrative divisions of Pakistan
except Islamabad Capital Territory, where it witnessed a sharp decline in Islamabad Capital
Territory .In 1998, 65.72% of the population in Islamabad lived in urban areas and this dropped
to 50.58% in 2017.
Sindh is the most urbanized province in Pakistan with 52.02% of its population living in urban
areas. Sindh has seen an increase in Urbanization from 48.75% in 1998 to 52.02% in
2017.FATA is the least urbanized province with only 2.84% living in urban areas.
Effects of urbanization on public health.
With the proliferation of slums comes a
plethora of related issues, such as
public health, infrastructural, and
sanitation issues.
The infrastructure cannot support the
population size, and in the rural areas,
plumbing/wells/etc. often cannot be
afforded, leading to water contamination.
Many water sources are highly contaminated because of the lack of regulations and
monitoring by the government.
As a result, there is industrial waste and sewage contaminating water sources, as well as
high fluoride and arsenic contents, which is further exacerbated by monsoon flooding,
thus causing many epidemics throughout the years.
Studies have shown that there are critically high levels of nitrates and chlorides in
Karachi's water sources as well as other water-born pathogens causing diarrhea and loss
of nutrients, exacerbating the existing problem of malnutrition.
Specifically, 1 in 5 "street children" in Pakistan were shown to be stunted, and 1 in about
8 were wasted
Sustainable Urbanization
Pakistan has the highest rate of urbanization in South Asia. According to the 2017 Population
Census, 36.4 percent of the population lives in urban areas. In 1998, this figure stood at 32.5
percent. Other estimates, based on a modified definition of urban settlements, suggest that
the ratio of urban to rural population could be 40.5 percent and even higher. The United
Nations Population Division estimates that, by 2025, nearly half the country's population will
be living in cities.
However, recent research suggests that the relationship between urbanization and growth is
not automatic. Urbanization in many developing countries has occurred without growth, jobs
and productivity. The benefits of urbanization can only be accrued by sound public policies.
Unplanned and unmanaged urbanization has rather resulted into urban slums, environmental
degradation, poverty and inequality. Pakistan too, is confronted with a host of urban
challenges.
