An article titled A story of neglect has been published in the print version of The News, one of the leading media outlets in Pakistan. In it, various issues including economic development of Bangladesh have been praised.

Munsur Ahmed is the author of the article published on Saturday (September 12). He said at the outset that poverty could not be eradicated without meaningful investment in the social sector. Meaningful investment paves the way for growth. In addition to significant progress in growth, Bangladesh (who once had the status of a bottomless basket) has reduced poverty through investment in the social sector.

Now Bangladesh's per capita income is higher than Pakistan's and Bangladesh ranks second in the list of emerging economies. On the other hand, Pakistan's per capita income has been steadily declining for the past two years and the growth is even lower than that of Afghanistan.

Education, health, women's emancipation are the social sectors. Investing in these sectors does not just mean investing in higher education. Bangladesh has taken more steps for the betterment of women than most of the countries in the region. Micro loans have been arranged for them. They have not only reduced pregnancies through successful family planning programs, but have also changed the lives of women. In the case of gender equality, Pakistani planners are paying the price for unscrupulous work. Pakistan has the highest population growth rate in the region. Launched in 1990, the textile industry is now run by 80 per cent women workers in Bangladesh. It has improved both their income and quality of life. Bangladeshi women now spend a lot of money on maintaining family health and educating their children. But in Pakistan the picture is just the opposite.