ISLAMABAD, June 5: A high unemployment rate, increase in food and fuel prices and a deteriorating law and order situation in urban have been the major contributing factors in urban poverty.

The Planning Commission task force on urban development has suggested tackling urban poverty through sustained initiatives with a focus on technical education, vocational training and skill development of its youth and the workforce.

Pakistan's patriarchal leadership is challenged by the young and women. This is a major cause of domestic violence and strife, including gender violence. There is direct conflict between the aggressively upwardly mobile lower-middle class and the entrenched rent seeking rich which to a large extent is manifest in manipulation of the land and labour markets, says the task force report.

The report estimates that 55 to 60 million more people will be added to urban areas by 2030. The growing urbanisation has positioned cities to play exceedingly important role in the national economic and social development; therefore, the process needs to be supported and managed efficiently, it suggests.

Exploring the state of urbanisation in the country, the report states that the cities are now contributing overwhelming to the country's GDP - over 78 per cent - but accelerating urbanisation has also aggravated urban deficit which is eroding livability, productivity and efficiency of urban areas and degrading urban ecology.

The report suggested to improve the business environment and competitiveness and promote local urban economy through expanding inner-city markets, promoting cluster development, improving urban governance, providing skill development, allowing autonomous local governments and managing power shortages.

Additionally, urban poverty is on the rise and the increasing gap between rich and poor is leading to growing social instability and discontent among a large segment of society, particularly youth. The report suggested reframing urban strategies aiming at inclusive and holistic urban development.

Almost all the cities in the country are faced with acute shortage of land which has resulted in extremely high land prices and thus stalled the pace of urban development.