Eleven economists. Most with the venerated title of ‘doctor’ preceding them. That is how many were contacted for this special report to canvas their opinions on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The question was simple: why have we not been able to achieve much regarding the SDGs?

It is sorrowful that none found this topic juicy enough to comment on. Some rebuffed politely, some curtly. The excuses ranged from travelling commitments to teaching priorities while others excused themselves because it was not their area of expertise. In conversations with many, there was a tone of surprise for being asked to comment on this topic in the first place. Arguably, some may have had legitimate reasons, but the wholesale refusal casts the matter in a different light.

And this raises several concerns.

Pakistan has been on a downward slide in achieving the SDGs. It is ironic that the country ranks very highly on priority III goals such as climate change, courtesy the tree plantation drive. The goal of zero hunger has slipped down two points whereas the goal of poverty slid down a whopping 19 points.

The Voluntary National Review submitted by the government this year acknowledged that about 50 million people lived below the national poverty line in 2015-16, comparable to the combined population of Australia and Cameroon. This high poverty numbers, which have worsened over the last few years, make one question the score of 78 assigned to Pakistan or the baseline of $1.25 set as the measure of poverty.

A layperson can raise questions and ruminate about the condition of Pakistan’s sustainable development. But where are the economists?

Are they too busy with commissioned work to spare time to offer opinion free of charge? Fear of speaking up seems highly unlikely given that this topic is not the kind that can land one on the wrong side of the powers that be.

Each government, during and after its tenure, has been criticised for playing politics but caring little for the welfare of the people. But if the intellectual elites of our society, the ones best equipped to comment and educate those above them and those below, prefer to limit their sound bites to ‘hot topics’ and leave the soft, less controversial issues on the wayside, then it is no wonder that Pakistan has slid down 15 steps in four years.

Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, September 23rd, 2019