ABSTRACT
Today, Pakistani citizens face a very different reality with respect to their quality of life, compared to that at the country’s birth 70 years ago. Rapid population growth and urbanization have put significant pressure on the physical environment. However, the predominant focus on the macroeconomic situation as well as relations with other countries, and a lack of institutional stability, has resulted in a variable focus on the quality of life of Pakistani citizens. This lack of focus, particularly given high population and urbanization rates, has resulted in significant costs to citizens in terms of their health, productivity and quality of life. With Pakistan already considered to be one of the worst affected countries in the world with regard to climate change, the scene is poised for the country and its citizens to suffer further. Is control of this downward spiral possible, or even what Pakistanis want? What if we just let it run its course? What will it take to control it? Does it entail sacrifices or benefits? This chapter attempts to answer these questions by analysing the current knowledge and state of affairs.
