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<\/p>\nISLAMABAD, Sept 6: Pakistan\u2019s capacity to deal with complex national and international challenges depends on stronger institutions, improved governance, evidence-based policymaking and effective implementation, speakers at a policy forum said.<\/p>\n
They also underlined the need for the country to anticipate opportunities in technology, agriculture, maritime affairs, regional connectivity and its evolving strategic environment, while addressing persistent social and economic concerns.<\/p>\n
The views were expressed at the annual meeting of the National Advisory Council (NAC) of the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), which brought together scholars, policymakers, diplomats, technocrats and practitioners. The participants called for forward-looking, practical, sustainable and actionable approaches to Pakistan\u2019s future.<\/p>\n
The session was chaired by IPS Chairman Khalid Rahman and moderated by IPS Vice Chairman Ambassador (r) Syed Abrar Hussain. It also provided intellectual input for the institute\u2019s research agenda.<\/p>\n
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The forum was addressed by Justice Dr Syed Muhammad Anwer, judge of the Federal Shariat Court; Dr Anis Ahmad, vice chancellor of Riphah International University; Ambassador (r) Sardar Masood Khan, former president of Azad Jammu and Kashmir; Lt Gen (r) Hidayat ur Rehman, chairman of the AJK Public Service Commission; Owais Ahmed Ghani, former governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Prof Dr Qibla Ayaz, former chairman of the Council of Islamic Ideology; Vice Admiral (r) Iftikhar Ahmed Rao; Syed Abu Ahmad Akif, former federal secretary; Dr Syed Kaleem Imam, former federal secretary and inspector general of police; Ambassador (r) Masood Khalid; Prof Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, former chairman of the Higher Education Commission; Dr Syed Tahir Hijazi, former member governance at the Planning Commission of Pakistan; Prof Dr Anwar ul Hassan Gilani, former chairman of the Pakistan Council for Science and Technology; Dr Syed Muhammad Junaid Zaidi, former rector of COMSATS University; Dr Masood Mehmood Khan of Curtin University, Australia; Prof Dr Saima Hamid, former vice chancellor of Fatima Jinnah Women University; Prof Dr Asad Zaman, former vice chancellor of the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics; Ambassador (r) Maj Gen (r) Dr Noel Khokhar; Naufil Shahrukh, policy analyst and CEO of MuComm; and Dr Naveed Butt, former department head at the Federal Government Services Hospital.<\/p>\n
The meeting opened with the observation that the post-9\/11 world had undergone major transformations, while Pakistan continued to face governance, economic, climate and security challenges.<\/p>\n
On governance, participants said the country\u2019s problems could not be resolved merely by creating new provinces or redrawing administrative boundaries. They stressed the need to bring governance closer to citizens, strengthen metropolitan and local institutions, reduce political interference and establish transparent mechanisms for decision-making and service delivery.<\/p>\n
The idea of charter cities was also discussed as a possible response to rapid urbanisation and related challenges, subject to political commitment and suitable institutional arrangements.<\/p>\n
Agriculture was highlighted as a key sector for the economy, exports, employment and food security. Participants discussed Pakistan\u2019s dependence on imports, particularly edible oil, and called for better water and irrigation management, improved crop planning, support for farmers, regulation of agricultural inputs, action against smuggling and more efficient value chains.<\/p>\n
Nutrition and food security also came under discussion. Proposed measures included biofortification, food fortification, kitchen gardening, school feeding, stronger food standards and coordinated action across sectors.<\/p>\n
On the fast-changing landscape of information technology and artificial intelligence, the speakers called for a coherent national AI roadmap, stronger data architecture, interoperable public digital infrastructure, affordable computing, indigenous language and domain-specific AI capabilities, and practical ethical frameworks suited to Pakistan\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n
Pakistan\u2019s maritime potential and its strategic and economic significance were also discussed. Participants highlighted the limited role of domestic shipping and stressed the need to strengthen national and private-sector shipping capacity. Progress on Maritime Task Force recommendations was noted, with emphasis on implementation, institutional accountability and a renewed national shipping policy.<\/p>\n
In the field of international relations and strategic affairs, the participants called for moving beyond policy formulation towards practical, costed and measurable implementation. They highlighted the changing global order, Pakistan\u2019s regional and maritime potential, balanced relations with major powers, and deeper engagement with the Middle East, Central Asia and Afghanistan.<\/p>\n
Education was identified as another sector requiring stronger implementation and institutional reform. The discussion focused on consultation, decentralisation, institutional cooperation and a collective approach, while cautioning against excessive centralisation and institutional interference.<\/p>\n
The participants also examined the institution of the family in the context of changing social conditions, rising family disputes, generational gaps, migration and evolving expectations. They called for stronger research, parenting programmes, marital counselling, youth and women\u2019s engagement, and family-sensitive legislation.<\/p>\n
The forum also discussed the need for approaches rooted in Pakistan\u2019s own intellectual and cultural context. Participants called for a shift away from inherited colonial and Eurocentric frameworks towards approaches rooted in Islamic thought. Islamic banking was also discussed in terms of moving beyond formal interest-free arrangements towards broader social and economic objectives.<\/p>\n
Concluding the session, participants emphasised that Pakistan\u2019s future depended on anticipating emerging trends, building institutional capacity and converting knowledge into workable solutions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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