Islamabad
\nPakistan\u2019s ability to address its complex national and international challenges depends on stronger institutions, improved governance, evidence-based policymaking and effective implementation, participants of the annual meeting of the National Advisory Council (NAC) of the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) observed.
\nThe participants stressed that Pakistan must simultaneously anticipate emerging opportunities in technology, agriculture, maritime affairs, regional connectivity and the changing strategic environment while addressing persistent social and economic challenges.
\nThe annual meeting brought together scholars, policymakers, diplomats, technocrats and practitioners who emphasised the need for forward-looking, practical, sustainable and actionable approaches to Pakistan\u2019s future.
\nThe session was chaired by Khalid Rahman, Chairman IPS, and moderated by Ambassador (r) Syed Abrar Hussain, Vice Chairman IPS. It also provided intellectual input for the Institute\u2019s future research agenda.
\nThe forum was addressed by Justice Dr Syed Muhammad Anwer, Dr Anis Ahmad, Ambassador (r) Sardar Masood Khan, Lt Gen (r) Hidayat ur Rehman, Owais Ahmed Ghani, Prof Dr Qibla Ayaz, Vice Admiral (r) Iftikhar Ahmed Rao, Syed Abu Ahmad Akif, Dr Syed Kaleem Imam, Ambassador (r) Masood Khalid, Prof Dr Mukhtar Ahmed and other prominent scholars, former officials and experts.
\nThe session opened with an observation that the post-9\/11 world had undergone profound transformations while Pakistan continued to face governance, economic, climate and security challenges.
\nOn governance, participants maintained that such challenges could not be addressed merely through the creation of new provinces or the redrawing of administrative boundaries.
\nThey called for bringing governance closer to citizens, strengthening metropolitan and local institutions, reducing political interference and establishing transparent mechanisms for decision-making and service delivery.
\nThe concept of charter cities was also discussed as a possible response to rapid urbanisation, subject to political commitment and appropriate institutional arrangements.
\nAgriculture was identified as a critical sector because of its contribution to the economy, exports, employment and food security.
\nParticipants highlighted Pakistan\u2019s dependence on imports, particularly edible oil, and called for improved water and irrigation management, better crop planning, stronger farmer support, regulation of agricultural inputs, action against smuggling and more efficient value chains.
\nThe closely linked issues of nutrition and food security also received attention. Participants proposed measures including biofortification, food fortification, kitchen gardening, school feeding programmes, stronger food standards and coordinated action across sectors.
\nOn information technology and artificial intelligence, participants called for a coherent national AI roadmap, stronger data architecture, interoperable public digital infrastructure, affordable computing facilities and development of indigenous language and domain-specific AI capabilities.
\nThey also stressed the need for practical ethical frameworks tailored to Pakistan\u2019s requirements.
\nPakistan\u2019s maritime potential and its strategic and economic significance were also discussed.
\nParticipants highlighted the limited role of domestic shipping and called for strengthening national and private-sector shipping capacity.
\nProgress on recommendations of the Maritime Task Force was noted, with participants stressing implementation, institutional accountability and the need for a renewed national shipping policy.
\nDiscussing international relations and strategic affairs, participants stressed the need to move beyond policy formulation towards practical, costed and measurable implementation.
\nThey 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.
\nEducation was also identified as an area requiring stronger implementation and institutional reform.
\nThe discussion emphasised consultation, decentralisation, institutional cooperation and a collective approach while cautioning against excessive centralisation and institutional interference.
\nParticipants also examined challenges facing the institution of the family amid changing social conditions, rising family disputes, generational gaps, migration and evolving expectations.
\nThey called for stronger research, parenting programmes, marital counselling, youth and women\u2019s engagement and family-sensitive legislation.
\nThe forum further discussed the importance of developing approaches rooted in Pakistan\u2019s own intellectual and cultural context.
\nParticipants called for a shift away from inherited colonial and Eurocentric frameworks towards approaches rooted in Islamic thought.
\nIslamic banking was also discussed, with participants stressing the need to move beyond formal interest-free arrangements towards broader social and economic objectives.
\nIn conclusion, the forum emphasised that Pakistan\u2019s future depends on anticipating emerging trends, strengthening institutional capacity and converting knowledge and research into workable and measurable solutions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Islamabad Pakistan\u2019s ability to address its complex national and international challenges depends on stronger institutions, improved governance, evidence-based policymaking and effective implementation, participants of the annual meeting of the National Advisory Council (NAC) of the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) observed. The participants stressed that Pakistan must simultaneously anticipate emerging opportunities in technology, agriculture, maritime […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-565866","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-national"],"yoast_head":"\n