Humanitarian Insights, Development & Aid Analysis

Title: Bridging the Education Gap: The Urgent Need for Non-Formal Primary Education for Girls in Pakistan By Tahir Ali Shah Introduction: The Education Crisis in Pakistan Pakistan is facing an education crisis, particularly in primary education for girls. According to UNESCO, around 22.8 million children are out of school in Pakistan, with 60% of them being girls . The crisis is even more severe in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and Balochistan , where poverty, cultural barriers, and a lack of schools restrict access to formal education. Non-formal education (NFE) has emerged as a potential solution, offering a flexible and accessible learning model that caters to out-of-school girls. However, it remains an underutilized strategy despite its proven success in other developing countries. The Barriers Preventing Girls’ Education The barriers to girls’ education in Pakistan are deep-rooted and multifaceted. Research indicates that the leading obstacles include: Cultural and ...

  The Invisible Crisis: Pakistan’s Street Children and the Failure of Humanitarian Aid  - Concept Note follows By Tahir Ali Shah In the bustling streets of Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, thousands of children roam aimlessly, deprived of shelter, education, and basic healthcare. Pakistan’s street children represent one of the most neglected humanitarian crises in the country, despite billions of dollars flowing into aid programs annually. Their plight raises a critical question, why does both international and national humanitarian aid continue to fail them? According to UNICEF, there are an estimated 1.5 million street children in Pakistan, a number that continues to rise due to urban displacement, poverty, and systemic failures in child protection. Many of these children, some as young as five or six, are forced into child labor, begging, or even criminal activities. They often fall victim to exploitation, human trafficking, and drug abuse, becoming invisible casualtie...

  Pakistan's Climate Crisis: A Call to Action for Sustainability and Resilience By Tahir Ali Shah Pakistan has been facing increasing climate-related challenges that have significantly impacted its population, economy, and environment. The year 2024 was particularly devastating, marked by a severe heatwave and widespread floods that highlighted the country's vulnerability to climate change. In June 2024, a deadly heatwave swept across the southern region of Sindh, with temperatures soaring to 49°C (120.2°F) on June 25. This extreme heat led to over 568 fatalities and more than 7,900 hospitalizations due to heat-related illnesses. The majority of the deaths occurred in Karachi, where at least 427 people succumbed to the heat. Compounding the situation were frequent power outages that hindered access to cooling mechanisms like fans and air conditioning. At the same time, Pakistan was grappling with severe flooding in various regions, including Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber P...

  A Deadly Sea: Europe's Border Policies Claim More Lives By Tahir Ali Shah The Mediterranean, once a symbol of connection and hope, has become a treacherous graveyard for thousands of Pakistanis seeking a better life. Since 2014, over 1,000 of our fellow citizens have perished attempting to cross this unforgiving sea, with countless others lost forever. This isn't just a statistic; it's a national tragedy that demands our attention. Behind these chilling figures are stories of desperation and loss. Take Ali, a young man from Gujrat, who was lured by promises of a lucrative job in Europe. He sold his family's land, borrowed from relatives, and entrusted his fate to ruthless smugglers. His family never heard from him again, left to wonder if he was among the "dozens of unidentified migrants" reported lost at sea. Or consider Fatima, a widow from Sialkot, driven by poverty and the desire to educate her children. She was promised a job in Italy, but her f...