Publication details

• Friday | 03 Mar, 2023
• Asif Javed, Maaz Javed
• Contributed Chapter Series
• 11

Download File Download File

Abstract

The outbreak of COVID-19 has been widespread across the globe and is still affecting lives, especially in developing countries. Pakistan has been no exception. The outbreak of the pandemic in countries like Pakistan has presented a drastic challenge. The pandemic not only brought health risks, but has also affected sectors like education and employment. The spread of the virus poses a direct risk to life in countries where the health infrastructure is relatively less developed. Indirect challenges arise such as increased inequalities in the health, education, and job sectors along with the risk of gender inequality and the digital divide across different income groups and across provinces in Pakistan. Policy analysts must confront this acute problem head on, as on the one hand they have to take measures to contain the spread of the virus but on the other hand these measures increase the intensity of problems of inequality and division in society across different sectors. It has been a debatable issue as to what extent the policy intervention should be made. Through interviews of policy experts and reviews of recent research, this research covers the policies taken by the Government of Pakistan along with exploring the direct and indirect impacts on the health, education, and job sectors with special focus on the digital divide and gender inequality.