The future of the poor has become entangled in countless questions. The same issues that troubled them yesterday still plague their generations today. Finding employment was difficult in the past and remains so even now. All facilities are concentrated in just a few major cities – industries are established there, and the top educational institutions are also located there. There is an abundance of schools, but the education system itself is divided: one type of curriculum for the rich and another for the poor, leading to the creation of social classes.
Why can’t the government establish a network of small industries in smaller cities? Why are only a few cities privileged? When we look at South Punjab, agriculture remains the only source of livelihood for miles. Couldn’t small industrial zones be set up in the smaller towns of South Punjab so that skilled individuals and educated youth could find employment near their homes instead of wandering in big cities?
Couldn’t major universities open their academic sub-branches at the tehsil level so that students could study locally instead of moving to big cities, thereby saving on hostel expenses and remaining close to their parents – who could guide them during their formative years and protect them from negative influences? Students living far from home, out of sight of their families, often fall prey to unhealthy hostel environments, as reflected in frequent reports about deteriorating hostel conditions. If academic sub-branches were established, education could be obtained right at one’s doorstep.
The government should persuade industrialists to set up small-scale working units in various towns of South Punjab so that employment opportunities become available close to home. Now, with motorways in place, travel has become much easier and transportation is no longer a major obstacle.
In Western societies, laws evolve according to the needs of the time. However, our system remains deprived of innovation and progressive thinking. Promoting small industries at the local level will provide jobs for the poor and lead to prosperity. For the establishment of industrial zones in underdeveloped areas, the government must ensure the availability of infrastructure – roads, electricity, and water. Environmental management should also be prioritized. There is no shortage of skilled workers or laborers; the local economy and environment are deeply connected to these regions.
Government institutions, after visiting these flood-affected areas in 2025, should provide necessary services to ease the burden on large cities. The motorways built by Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif should be utilized for industrial transportation – particularly in rural areas, where setting up industries would also bring housing, schools, and healthcare facilities closer to workers. This would enable people to earn livelihoods near their homes, saving time – an increasingly valuable resource.
The establishment of industries in places like Muzaffargarh, Alipur, and nearby areas is urgently needed. Philanthropists should also consider investing in small industries to promote regional development. Environmental protection and pollution control mechanisms must be given top priority in the industrial structure so that, alongside a prosperous Punjab, we may also enjoy a clean and healthy environment.
Through such measures at the governmental and administrative level, underdeveloped regions can be uplifted to stand alongside developed cities, and rural areas can be transformed into vibrant, thriving communities.
