Inclusion: The Central Narrative in Pakistan's Development Story

As 2025 approaches, further alignment between Pakistan’s development agenda and the SDGs is imperative. The “Decade of Action” leaves no room for delay. Together we can write a development story that is paved by respect of fundamental rights, inclusion, and equitable opportunity for all, once and for all.

The year 2024 draws to a close amid profound global turbulence – where seemingly all development gains are reversible: rising poverty, intensifying conflict, uncertain political transitions, and deepening polarization have tested societies across the globe. For Pakistan, these challenges are not distant or abstract; they manifest in the daily lives of its people, where economic inequality, climate vulnerability, and social exclusion amplify hardship. The United Nations’ Summit of the Future held in September this year served as a critical moment to reflect on the world 6 years from the 2030 Agenda’s finish line, and to restore faith in global solidarity, and multilateralism, to address today’s most pressing global challenges.

For Pakistan, the Summit’s calls for deeper international cooperation, revitalized governance, and a renewed focus on inclusion offer a timely framework for its development trajectory. On this International Human Rights Day, commemorating the 76th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and within the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we reflect on how these global ambitions shape Pakistan's local realities. The protection of human rights — especially for women, girls, and marginalized groups must not be just a priority but the very foundation of sustainable development.

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