Social Welfare, Health and Pakistan

Some would claim that charity is a core cultural trait of mankind.The urge to help others is a selfish act of survival of the group and henceindividual security. In today’s world, welfare has assumed a wider meaningand is linked with the economy of the state, the concept of human rights ofsociety, structure of society and cultural expression of welfare. The statemay be willing to contribute towards welfare but poor economic conditionsmay not allow welfare programmes or only allow low key programmes. Withpoor level of governance most welfare work comes to a standstill. In suchsituations the burden of poor economies can be shared by all rather thanthe poor alone. Human rights, as defined by the UN, impinge on the basicconcept of welfare as seen by individual states. The right of all people toshelter, security, health, job, education as well as freedom to speak,associate and practice religion are concepts difficult to swallow for manysocieties and states. Social disparity may not allow many to grant rights toothers. Yet social welfare is a practical arm of human rights and not an actof charity to be left to individual whims. In Islam, social welfare is the rightof the underprivileged and not an act of charity extended by the state orindividual. On the other hand the welfare of all the citizens of the state isvital for economic and social development. There are more than 94indicators to measure social development. Each country’s performance inthis area can be monitored following each intervention.