Credit Systems for the Poor

Over 70 percent people in Pakistan live in rural areas and their preponderant majority is that of the rural poor. They also form the major vote bank for the politicians. In spite of this, and the tall promises and claims of the successive governments, little has been achieved in alleviating poverty from this sector. Social development cannot be achieved without adequate economic well-being for which suitable supportive credit systems are an imperative. Do we have them? Is the question.

The rural poor consist mainly of the following:

1. Small farmers engaged in crops production and other agricultural occupations like milk production, cattle and goat breeding, poultry, etc.
2. Artisans and skilled and unskilled labour engaged in farms and cottage or small industries.

Mr. Muhammad Yusuf

Source: Poverty Alleviation in Pakistan: Present Scenario and Future Strategy, Mohibul Haq Sahibzada. Republished with permission.