From challenges to opportunities: Mapping country’s SDG progress & future pathways

Pakistan’s SDG Index of 2024 is 57.02 and ranks the country 137th among 166 countries which shows that there is huge potential for improvement. The position has worsened as compared to the previous year when Pakistan was on 128th position. Specifically, the total score of the Spillover checklist was 94.99 revolves round the fact that; Pakistan poses a positive contribution to global sustenance though facing internal challenges.
The areas of focus include the quality education (SDG 4), women’s rights (SDG 5), water supply and sanitation (SDG 6), and industrial development (SDG 9) for which progress is considered to be substantial to major. As for the quality of education and gender parity, one can see the negative trends represented by such indicators as a decline in the intensity of investment in education and restrictions on women’s rights. Efforts towards ending hunger (SDG 2), achieving good health and well-being (SDG 3) and reducing inequalities (SDG 10) are at a standstill meaning that moves towards the 2030 targets are almost negligible.
However, there are some regions of optimism. Global targets such as climate change (SDG 13) and life below water (SDG 14) are progressing or keeping a pace, which in a way points to the existence of efficient policies and interventions in the area of environmental enhancement. Signs of moderate improvement are seen in achieving clean energy and decent work and economic growth with less than 0.5 as the gap value which is a sign of improvement on the use of renewable resources in the economy and employment.
The future of sustainable development in Pakistan hinges on several critical factors.
Addressing Educational and Gender Equality Challenges: There will be need to continue the struggle to ensure requisite efforts are applied towards solving the root problems in education and gender equality. Even in cases where there has been typological development, if there is no correlated improvement in areas such as these, then the effects on other SDGs are probable to be negative. Educational policies such as the policy on facilities, policy on training teachers and recruitments, and policies on the elimination of inequalities when it comes to the selection of girls’ schools and the employment of women are other key policies that are needed.
Enhancing the Healthcare System: This implies that the country should improve its health care structure for the achievement of the ‘Good Health and Well Being ‘. The key interventions that should be emphasized according to the index are development of basic health care, increased access to actual medical facilities, and the problems of malnutrition and the fight against infectious diseases. This would enhance the health status of people as well as led to better education and economic output.
Upgrading Water and Sanitation Infrastructure: These require the improvement of the water and sanitation facilities so as to increase their capacity in dealing with population demand. Most of the investments in areas such as provision of clean water, appropriate disposal of wastewater, and construction of public toilets can significantly enhance people’s longevity and wellbeing. As a result of the critical water problems, Pakistan needs to implement appropriate measures for efficient water usage in order to maintain the sustainable water usage.
Fostering Innovation and Infrastructure Development: There is a need to improve on the aspects of innovation and infrastructure to causes growth in the industrial an economic capacity. Research and development, SME’s and modern buildings and constructions are some of the ways of achieving these objectives. In some cases, partnerships between the public and private sectors are useful to facilitate funding, and specialized assistance for these interventions.
Promoting Sustainable Urbanization: How can Pakistan work towards the targets of sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11)? It can focus on sustainable urbanization, upgrading of infrastructure particularly the transportation and provision of affordable shelter. When properly understood and controlled, urbanization presents the perfect opportunities for the enhancement of business and subsequent improvement of living standards across the country.
Prioritizing Climate Action and Environmental Sustainability: It should be noted that climate action and environmental sustainability should remain policy priorities. This is why being highly susceptible to climate change effects, Pakistan needs to consider the application of multilayered and sustainable climate change adaptation and combating measures. Conservation of natural resources, use of renewable resources, and policies to minimize greenhouse gases are some of the measures.
Conclusion: Taking into consideration the facts from this article it can be concluded that despite numerous challenges that Pakistan encountered on the path towards achieving the SDGs, specific and effective policies along with consistent actions could be stimulated for the achievement of this goal. Future challenges will involve dealing with such sectors as education, healthcare, water and sanitation, innovation, and environmental sustainability to define the country’s development path. By doing so, there are great opportunities for the betterment for the future of Pakistan and attainment of a better standard of life for its people.