ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a critical review of various rural development programs run in Pakistan both during pre-independence and postindependence periods. A review of the success story of rural development in Korea has been included. Opportunities and threats of rural development in Pakistan have been identified and analyzed. Opportunities include availability and potential of nongovernmental organizations, which may be actively involved in rural development; highly energetic human resources such as rural youth and women; lessons from cottage industry; and availability of information and communication technologies. The threats/barriers identified include variety and severity of rural conflicts; rural poverty; dependence/belief system; and illiteracy. A way forward has been suggested to gear up rural development in Pakistan.
