A landmark UK-funded District Vulnerability Index for Pakistan (DVIP), launched Monday by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Climate Change Minister Dr Musadaq Malik, has laid bare Pakistan’s stark human development disparities: Punjab has zero districts in the most vulnerable category, while 17 of the 20 worst-performing districts are in Balochistan.
The index, developed by the Pakistan Population Council, ranks all districts across six domains — housing, communication, transport, livelihoods, health, and education — revealing that nearly 10 million Pakistanis (11.3% of the population) live in the 20 most vulnerable districts, with over half residing in Balochistan (more than 40% of the province’s population).
17 of Pakistan’s 20 Poorest Districts Found in Balochistan: Report
A new Population Council study reveals severe deprivation across Balochistan, where most districts lack basic services, jobs, infrastructure, clean water, and healthcare—pushing millions deeper into poverty. pic.twitter.com/uOnyGByxQj— Parhlo (@parhlo) November 18, 2025
Key Findings
- Most vulnerable districts (top 5): Washuk, Khuzdar, Kohistan (KP), Zhob, Kohlu — all in Balochistan except Kohistan.
- Least vulnerable districts (top 5): Karachi’s four urban districts, followed by Lahore.
- Among the 20 least vulnerable districts: 13 in Punjab, 4 in Sindh, 2 in KP, none in Balochistan.
- In the 20 worst-performing districts: over 65% live in mud houses, half lack toilets, 40% have no clean water, and unemployment is highest.
Systemic Failures Exposed
- Livelihoods: 15 of the 20 lowest-ranked districts are in Balochistan; KP and Balochistan have the highest unemployment and unpaid family labour.
- Health & Education: Balochistan and KP districts suffer longest distances to facilities and weakest outreach.
- Infrastructure: Many contiguous districts lack roads, transport, or telephone services within reachable distances.
Ministers described the findings as “eye-opening” and “deeply uncomfortable.” Dr Malik warned: “Clean water, education, and safe housing are fundamental rights, not amenities.” Finance Minister Aurangzeb linked high vulnerability to Pakistan’s 2.55% population growth — the region’s highest — and decades of terrorism’s impact in KP and Balochistan.
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The report sharply criticizes post-7th NFC resource flows: provinces are cash-rich, investing surplus funds in federal debt instead of development, while vulnerable districts remain starved. It calls for direct resource transfers to districts, bypassing provincial capitals.
With climate shocks (floods, droughts, heatwaves) disproportionately hitting already fragile regions, the DVIP demands urgent policy shifts to prevent a widening crisis of inequality, stunting, and unrest.
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