Economists criticise lack of policymaking in Pakistan

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

* Suggest measures to strengthen national economic growth

* Planning Commission chairman says changing mindsets a big challenge for policymaking, innovative thinking

Staff Report

LAHORE: Economists from across the country criticised the lack of policymaking in Pakistan and suggested various measures to strengthen national economic growth, at a one-day consultative workshop on ‘Growth Strategy for Pakistan’ organised by the Planning Commission of Pakistan (PCP) and Centre for Public Policy Governance, Forman Christian (FC) College, at FC College on Monday.

Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Dr Nadeemul Haq presided over the workshop, while Shahid Kardar acted as a moderator during the four sessions of the workshop.

In the first session, Introduction, Centre for Public Policy and Governance Chairman Dr Saeed Shafqat apprised the participants of the objective of the workshop. In the remaining sessions, Productivity, Markets and Geography, and Governance and Community, Dr Vaqar Ahmed, Dr Haroon Sarwar, Sana Shahid and Umair Ahmed gave detailed presentations.

Challenge: Addressing the participants, Dr Nadeem said changing the mindset of the people and entrepreneurs was a big challenge for policymaking and innovative thinking, which would lead to the country’s growth. “If you change the mindset, you develop,” he told the audience while responding to various queries of entrepreneurs and economists.

He said the Planning Commission believed in taking all stakeholders onboard for effective policymaking and implementation, and academic institutes could play a key role in this regard.

Environment: Lahore School of Economics Prof Dr Naseer told Daily Times that the kind of system Pakistan currently had does not provide an environment for any growth strategy. He said terrorism, security crisis, government’s aggression against the Supreme Court and a flawed political system all indicated a lack of suitable environment for growth of the country. He said corruption was also prevailing in the country.

Renowned Economist Mahmood Miraz, while talking to Daily Times, said a society needs development-oriented attitudes and culture for development, which our country lacked. There was no trend of saving in Pakistan and the rate of gross domestic product was also very low, Mirza said, adding that “a culture of development supports the process of development”.

Other participants included Dr Naveed Hamid from the Lahore School of Economics, Dr Ishfaq from Faisalabad, Dr Qasim Aalam and Brig ® Farooq Hameed Khan.