Final answer:
Richard Kurin faced multiple challenges during his fieldwork in Pakistan, including dealing with border disputes, socio-political, and economic issues like education and infrastructure, as well as environmental problems like water pollution and deforestation.
Step-by-step explanation:
A major challenge that Richard Kurin faced during his fieldwork in Pakistan was dealing with the complexities arising from historical border disputes, particularly the ongoing tensions over Kashmir between India and Pakistan. Additionally, Kurin had to navigate the various socio-political and economic challenges prevalent in Pakistan, which included an inadequate education system due to a lack of funding, especially in rural areas where only the urban elites could afford university education. The emergence of religious schools or madrasas became an alternative for education, focusing mainly on Islamic law and the Quran.
On the economic front, both Pakistan and Bangladesh, having agriculture as their primary economic activity, are grappling with the rural-to-urban shift and the resultant stress on urban infrastructure which is lagging in many areas. The aspirations to provide for large populations and protect natural environments are hindered by these shared challenges. The non-profit sector, critical in addressing these concerns, faces its challenges such as limited project grants and difficulties in conducting long-term assessments.
Lastly, Kurin's fieldwork was made even more difficult by environmental issues such as water pollution and deforestation. Raw sewage discharges and heavy reliance on polluted, untreated natural water sources for consumption have led to widespread disease and health problems. Furthermore, the loss of forest cover, due to the increased demand for wood, compounds these challenges, affecting the quality of life and sustainable development in Pakistan.