ISLAMABAD : Once considered to be the next Asian Tiger, Pakistan is still struggling with governance issues that have arisen since the country joined the League of Nations. Even if the governments that have come before us have promised significant reforms and revolutionary change, the actions done seem as ineffective as trying to save a sinking ship with a thimble. The people of Pakistan, who still face the brunt of these difficulties, must shoulder the lasting consequence. Dr. Nadeem ul Haque, vice chancellor of the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), expressed these views at the Third Think Tank Moot’s launch, which was organized by PIDE and its partners in cooperation.
Dr. Haque emphasized how important it is to acknowledge that, throughout the history of the nation, the demand side for reforms has been traditionally inactive. He maintained that while the country looks for a way to move toward long-lasting and significant reforms, addressing this passivity is essential to creating a more involved and participative society. Dr. Haque added that broad policy directions and commitments are frequently highlighted in political party manifestos. Ideally, when a party takes over, these obligations ought to be carefully considered. Anticipating the General Elections on February 8, 2024, it is discouraging to note that political parties have not been talking about a reform program that would address the nation’s urgent demands.
At a recent Think Tank Moot, PIDE Pro VC Dr. Durre Nayab gave a powerful speech that highlighted important viewpoints on urban development and governance. Dr. Nayab emphasized the need of policies that take into account the distinctive qualities of each urban center and emphasized the critical importance of respecting the plurality of cities. A significant insight appeared concerning the obstacles encountered by lively cities within the existing governance framework, driving the call for transformative policies to harness the full potential of metropolitan regions.
Dr. Nayab emphasized the crucial role that local governments play in providing critical services and argued in favor of a decentralized strategy that caters to the unique demands of local communities. Notably, the Pro VC contended that local elected councils should be given complete autonomy over choices about planning and expenditure in order to accomplish full decentralization. In order to strengthen local government and create more dynamic and responsive urban settings, this viewpoint demands a comprehensive reevaluation of governance frameworks. The perspectives of Dr. Durre Nayab present a convincing picture of a paradigm change in urban policy, advising stakeholders to accept diversity, get beyond obstacles to good governance, and give local governments more authority for efficient decentralization.
Prior to this, Chief Research PIDE Dr. Shujaat Farooq gave an overview of the Think Tank Moot, emphasizing its function as a special forum for distinguished partners and thought leaders to work together on revolutionary and long-lasting reforms.
According to him, the PIDE has developed a reform plan called “Transforming Economy & Society,” which identifies ten key areas, including market efficiency, political stability, productivity and competition, public service reforms, budgetary management, and the development of social infrastructure. To propose its reform plan in this setting, PIDE partnered with Think-Tanks and hosted the 4th moot. The goal is to collaborate and pool collective intelligence rather than operate in isolated departments with little to no influence over the formulation of public policy.
Speakers in the Moot, representing various think tanks, emphasized the need to change Pakistan’s economy and society and the complex nature of this necessary undertaking. They emphasized that a comprehensive and cooperative strategy is needed to meet the opportunities and problems the country faces. PIDE’s Reform Agenda was widely acknowledged and praised, with everyone agreeing that Pakistan urgently needs it. The participants expressed a shared worry that if these important concerns are not given enough attention now, the repercussions might eventually become unaffordable. People in Pakistan agreed that reform must be embraced quickly in order to improve the country, and that taking proactive steps is necessary to prevent things from getting out of hand.
Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), Pakistan Science Foundation, Quaid-i-Azam University, American Fishing Tackle Manufacturers Association (AFTMA), and Akhtar Hameed Khan were among the representatives from a variety of organizations that came together to form a diverse assembly. AHKNCRD, the Population Council, the Center for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS), Independent News Pakistan (INP), the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP), NUML, Beijing Institute of Technology, the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), COMSATS, the Establishment Division, the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI), Prime Consultant, IIIE Institute of Islamic Information and Education, the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP), the Population Council, the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS), the National Institute of Population Studies (NIPS), the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), the World Bank, the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), COMSATS, and the Establishment Division of the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI).
