- From Lahore Resolution to SDGs: Pakistan’s pledge for a prosperous tomorrow
The Lahore Resolution, passed on March 23, 1940, envisioned a homeland where Muslims could exercise economic, social, and cultural freedom. This vision resonates with the SDGs’ holistic framework—17 goals aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring prosperity by 2030. Pakistan was among the first nations to integrate the SDGs into its national framework, with a unanimous National Assembly resolution in February 2016, reflecting the same spirit of self-determination that fueled the Pakistan Movement. Today, as the nation faces climate crises, economic pressures, and social inequalities, sustainable development embodies the March 23 promise to build a resilient, inclusive future.
Pakistan’s youthful demographic—over 60% of its 240 million people are under 30—positions it to harness this vision. Yet, challenges loom large: multidimensional poverty affects 38.3% of the population (UNDP, 2023), water scarcity threatens livelihoods, and climate change amplifies vulnerabilities. Pakistan Day 2025 thus becomes a call to action, urging collective efforts to align historical ideals with modern sustainability goals for the next generation.
Pakistan has made notable strides toward sustainable development, reflecting the Lahore Resolution’s emphasis on community upliftment. The Sustainable Development Report 2024 ranks Pakistan 137th globally with a score of 58.97, indicating moderate progress in several areas (Sachs et al., 2024). Here are key achievements:
- SDG 1 (No Poverty): Multidimensional poverty dropped from 55.2% in 2004 to 38.3% in 2023, per UNDP data. The Ehsaas program, launched in 2019, has expanded social safety nets, disbursing over PKR 1 trillion (USD 3.6 billion) to 15 million families by 2024, aligning with the March 23 ideal of equity.
- SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy): Renewable energy capacity grew from 1,000 MW in 2015 to 2,500 MW in 2024, with hydropower and solar projects like the Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park contributing significantly (NEPRA, 2024).
- SDG 13 (Climate Action): The 10 Billion Tree Tsunami, an upscale of the 2014 Billion Tree project, has planted over 2 billion trees by 2025 across 350,000 hectares, surpassing its Bonn Challenge pledge and showcasing Pakistan’s commitment to environmental stewardship (Ministry of Climate Change, 2025).
Despite progress, Pakistan faces significant hurdles that test its March 23 resolve. The Sustainable Development Report 2024 highlights stagnation or regression in key SDGs:
- SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): High food prices and climate shocks left 11.8 million people at risk of acute food insecurity from November 2023 to January 2024 (IPC, 2024). Agricultural productivity remains hampered by water scarcity and outdated practices.
- SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): Per capita water availability has plummeted from 5,260 cubic meters in 1951 to 1,000 cubic meters in 2024, nearing absolute scarcity (PCRWR, 2024). About 60% of the population lacks safe drinking water, driving health crises.
- SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities): Rapid urbanization generates 48.5 million tons of solid waste annually, with only 50% managed effectively (World Bank, 2023). Air pollution in cities like Lahore ranks among the world’s worst, with PM2.5 levels exceeding WHO guidelines by 10 times (IQAir, 2024).
Economic constraints compound these issues. The IMF estimates that achieving SDGs in education, health, and infrastructure requires additional spending of 16% of GDP annually by 2030 (Brollo et al., 2021). With GDP growth at 0.92% in Q1 FY2024-25 (PBS, 2025), funding remains a critical bottleneck.
Climate Change: A Test of Resilience
Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change underscores the urgency of sustainable development. Despite contributing just 0.9% of global emissions, it ranks 5th on the Global Climate Risk Index (Germanwatch, 2024). The 2022 floods, affecting 33 million people and causing $30 billion in damages, highlighted this disparity (World Bank, 2022). Rising temperatures, glacial melt, and erratic monsoons threaten agriculture, which employs 37% of the workforce (PBS, 2024).
The Recharge Pakistan initiative, launched in 2023, aims to restore wetlands and manage floodwater, benefiting 680,000 people by 2025 (WWF-Pakistan, 2024). Such projects embody the March 23 spirit of resilience, ensuring the next generation inherits a livable planet.
Youth and Innovation: The Torchbearers of March 23 Ideals
Pakistan’s youth are central to this sustainable future, mirroring the young leaders of the Pakistan Movement. Innovations like Aerosync—solar-powered vendor carts by Neelum Hassan—reduce emissions while supporting livelihoods. The IT sector, growing at 15% annually, contributed $3.5 billion to exports in 2024 (P@SHA, 2024), driven by young entrepreneurs.
The Kamyab Jawan Programme, launched in 2019, has disbursed PKR 185 billion (USD 665 million) in loans to 100,000 youth by 2025, fostering startups in green tech and agriculture (PMYP, 2025). These efforts align with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), ensuring the next generation drives economic and environmental progress.
Economic Transformation: Uraan Pakistan and Beyond
The Uraan Pakistan plan, introduced in 2024, targets 6% GDP growth by 2028 through export-led strategies and sustainability (World Economic Forum, 2025). With FDI up 20% in FY2025 and remittances hitting $35 billion, economic stability is strengthening (SBP, 2024). The World Bank’s $20 billion partnership supports health, education, and climate resilience, reinforcing this trajectory (World Bank, 2024).
Yet, industrial contraction (-1.03% in Q1 FY2024-25) and inflation (forecasted at 15% in 2025 per ADB, 2024) demand bolder reforms. Sustainable development hinges on balancing growth with equity, a core March 23 tenet.
The Way Forward: A Commitment Renewed on Pakistan Day
To fulfill its sustainable development pledge, Pakistan must address systemic gaps:
- Policy Integration: Mainstream SDGs into provincial budgets, as only 30% of districts have localized plans (UNDP, 2024).
- Investment: Boost public-private partnerships, given that 95% of startup funding remains unmet (P@SHA, 2024).
- Education and Skills: With 22.8 million children out of school (UNICEF, 2024), integrating sustainability into curricula is vital for future stewards.
- Data and Accountability: Enhance data collection, as SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) lacks reporting (Sachs et al., 2024).
Pakistan Day 2025 offers a moment to recommit. The National SDG Framework (2018) and Vision 2025 provide blueprints, but execution requires political will and societal collaboration—hallmarks of the 1940 resolution.
Pakistan Day is a celebration of past triumphs and a pledge to future generations. The Lahore Resolution’s vision of a just, prosperous society finds expression in sustainable development—a commitment to end poverty, steward the environment, and empower youth. With achievements like Ehsaas, the 10 Billion Tree Tsunami, and a thriving IT sector, Pakistan is on the path. Yet, climate risks, resource scarcity, and economic gaps demand urgent action. As we honor March 23, 2025, let it be a rallying cry: to build a Pakistan where the next generation inherits not just a nation, but a sustainable, thriving homeland. This is the truest tribute to the founders’ dream—a legacy of resilience and hope.
The author, Nazir Ahmed Shaikh, is a freelance writer, columnist, blogger, and motivational speaker. He writes articles on diversified topics. He can be reached at nazir_shaikh86@hotmail.com