ISLAMABAD – With the 2030 deadline approaching, Pakistan is in the decisive stretch of its journey toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s latest Development Advocate Pakistan special edition—The Last Mile: Pakistan’s Path to the SDGs—offers both a stark reality check and a roadmap. It underscores that the choices Pakistan makes now, in urban planning, climate resilience, financing, and governance, will determine whether it finishes strong. Pakistan’s urban future is central to this discussion. Today, 40% of the population lives in 225 cities, generating more than half of the national GDP. Yet, many of these cities are vulnerable—unprepared for climate shocks, infrastructural stress, and inequality.
Nadeem Khurshid, UNDP’s Urban Resilience Specialist, stresses that resilient, inclusive, and well-governed cities are the key. Empowering local governments, climate-proofing infrastructure, and aligning urban policy with SDGs will decide whether cities remain economic powerhouses or turn into centers of risk. The edition gathers diverse voices. Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal highlights political will as critical to the SDG push, while Shaista Pervaiz points to parliamentary oversight as a safeguard for continuity.
Kanni Wignaraja, UN Assistant Secretary-General, situates Pakistan’s struggle within a global context—reminding us that SDGs are a shared responsibility. Contributions from Sweden, China, and UN agencies stress that financing strategies, women’s leadership, decentralization, and innovation are not optional—they are necessary accelerators. The report is candid about the obstacles:
Fiscal stress limits the government’s ability to invest. Climate shocks such as floods and heatwaves are eroding past gains. Local governments lack the resources and authority to deliver on SDGs. Inequalities persist across gender, region, and class. Without urgent shifts, incremental progress will not be enough to meet 2030 targets. The edition highlights five urgent priorities:
1. Empower local governance with authority and budgets to localize SDGs.
2. Align financial flows with development goals, including innovative financing tools.
3. Build climate resilience into every sector—housing, transport, health, and water.
4. Bridge inequalities, ensuring women, youth, and marginalized groups are central.
5. Invest in innovation and data, strengthening monitoring and accountability.
For Pakistan, the SDGs are not abstract. They are a survival strategy. Cities under strain, rising inequalities, and climate threats already impact millions. Meeting the goals means safer communities, resilient infrastructure, gender equity, and opportunities for the next generation. With less than five years left, the SDGs are no longer distant global targets.
They are the framework for Pakistan’s urban and social survival. Political will, inclusive planning, and bold investment decisions will decide the outcome.
The Last Mile is not a race against other nations—it is a race against time. For Pakistan, finishing strong will mean transforming challenges into opportunities, and ensuring that no one is left behind.