Maslow's Hierarchy of needs is depicted as a pyramid consisting of five levels. The lowest level is asssociated with physiological needs (health, food, and sleep), then safety, belonging, Esteem and finally the uppermost level is associated with achieving self-actualization. Why am I telling you something you already know??

Poverty remains to be a problem in most developing countries, including Pakistan, which has resulted in an exceptional slow progress towards development. Without going into the details, poverty also affects a person's physical, professional and psychological advancement.

Many people are so poor that they cannot even meet their very basic physiological needs. They are unable to fill their stomachs, provide a shelter for their families and are at a risk for several diseases. Hence, a person becomes more engrossed in meeting their lower needs that they eventually abandon their higher needs. This makes it difficult for them to advance higher and to recognize their potential, but not impossible.

The situation is further complicated when a country is unable to meet the security needs (physiological and psychosocial in nature) of its people. Not only does there remain an overwhelming sense of food insecurity but one also becomes constantly afraid for their lives. Such is the case in Pakistan. The political and social situation is so volatile that individuals are constrained and suppressed.

Unfortunately, poverty and insecurity can sometimes lead to abandonment of morals and ethics. I am not trying to make excuses but only offering a different perspective. The poverty rate in Pakistan has a positive co-relationship with the crime rate, as with most developing countries. In Karachi alone, 200 mobile phones are stolen each day. When your basic needs for survival are not met one is forced to do whatever it takes to meet those needs, especially when your family depends on you. Now when I look at photos of individuals being caught of theft I feel sad for some reason but my rational mind also starts to kick in. Initially, I used to look at these photos and say, "Good! They deserve to be caught!" Now I look at the same pictures and wonder what might have motivated or influenced them to take such actions. I was always aware that no action or thought is influenced by one single factor, but instead multiple factors. However, I am now living this principle...