ISLAMABAD, OCT 2 /DNA/ – KOICA Pakistan Office and KOICA Alumni Association Pakistan (KAAP) successfully held its Annual Reception and Knowledge Sharing Seminar on October 1, 2024 in Islamabad. The event was organized to encourage knowledge sharing among alumni of KOICA trainees in Pakistan and to strengthen the development cooperation network between Korea and Pakistan.

The event was attended by H.E. Park Ki-jun, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea and Mr. Yeon Je-ho, Country Director of KOICA Pakistan Office, Special Secretary of the Economic Affairs Division, Mr. Muhammad Humair Karim, and Joint Secretary of the Economic Affairs Division Mr. Sajid Manzoor. H.E. Park Ki-jun, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea said “The development cooperation partnership between Korea and Pakistan will be further strengthened through the knowledge dissemination and exchange of KOICA trainees,”  ”We are very pleased to support Pakistan’s sustainable development through the exchange of knowledge and skills between our two countries and promote prosperity for future generations through human resource capacity building.”

The event featured two Training program alumni who shared their lessons learned from Korea. A trainee from Exploration of Good Research and Development Agricultural Productivity of Pakistan presented Agricultural Productivity: a pathway to Nutrition & Food Security in Pakistan, highlighting the impact of agricultural productivity in Pakistan on nutrition and food security, and emphasizing the important role of the agricultural sector in the country’s economic and social development. Another trainee from Capacity Building for Formulating and Evaluating Economic Development presented Economic Development Strategy and Policy in Pakistan, analyzing the country’s economic development strategy and policies and suggesting effective policies for economic development.

The KOICA Pakistan office reported on the main activities of KAAP in 2024. They shared the knowledge sharing events held this year in Quetta (June) and Peshawar (September), as well as the active participation of alumni members through the Earth Day plogging Campaign in May. “We are grateful for the active participation of many alumni in volunteer activities and look forward to continuing these activities,” said KOICA Pakistan.

The event also promoted the upcoming KOREA WEEK, which will be hosted by the Korean Embassy in Pakistan from October 22nd to 27th. The event aims to promote cooperation and cultural exchange between Pakistan and Korea, and many members were encouraged to attend and further strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

To date, a total of 1,834 alumni members  have been trained from KOICA’s training programs in Pakistan, and since the establishment of KAAP in 2010, various activities and seminars have been held every year through the Knowledge Sharing seminar. This year, 243 trainees attended the Knowledge Sharing seminar, and the KOICA Pakistan office said, “We expect that such knowledge sharing and cooperation will maintain the friendly relations between Pakistan and Korea and serve as a driving force for regional and national development.”

With this event, KOICA Pakistan and the alumni members pledged to continue their efforts in knowledge dissemination and human resource capacity building between Korea and Pakistan, and plan to maintain a mutually beneficial partnership.

ISLAMABAD, OCT 2 /DNA/ – The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) proudly marks five transformative years under the leadership of Dr. Nadeem Ul Haque as Vice Chancellor. Since his appointment in October 2019, Dr. Haque has spearheaded innovative reforms in economic policy research and public policy discourse, positioning PIDE as a leading public sector think tank in Pakistan and globally.

Over the past five years, Dr. Haque’s leadership has revitalized PIDE, aligning its research with pressing macroeconomic and governance challenges. His dynamic approach reshaped the institute’s research agenda, focusing on crucial areas such as economic growth, urban development, regulatory reform, energy policy, education, healthcare, and public sector management. His groundbreaking work on the cost of bureaucracy and regulatory burdens has been widely recognized by policy circles and academics worldwide, fostering greater dialogue between policymakers, scholars, and international institutions. These contributions have played a pivotal role in shaping Pakistan’s policy landscape.

Under Dr. Haque’s stewardship, PIDE expanded its platforms for knowledge dissemination, including books, the renowned Pakistan Development Review journal, policy briefs, and academic conferences. Initiatives such as the EconFest and PIDE’s YouTube channel have extended the institute’s outreach, engaging a diverse audience beyond academia, including policymakers and the general public. Dr. Haque’s tenure also saw the launch of the Research for Social Transformation and Advancement (RASTA), the largest public policy research grant program in Pakistan. This initiative, aimed at fostering local research and solutions, has connected over 65 universities and 3,200 researchers, creating a robust knowledge network. This program is pivotal in generating high-quality, evidence-based research that informs policy decisions across the country.

With a vision for inclusive academic dialogue, Dr. Haque organized the prestigious Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Pakistan Society of Development Economists (PSDE) across multiple regions, including Peshawar, Quetta, and Multan. This outreach has strengthened ties between academia, policymakers, and development practitioners nationwide.

The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) proudly celebrates five years of driving reason, rigor, and research in shaping evidence-based policies. Reflecting on the institute’s journey, Dr. Nadeem Ul Haque, Vice Chancellor of PIDE, emphasized the pivotal role PIDE has played in addressing Pakistan’s socio-economic challenges through independent research. He reaffirmed the institute’s unwavering commitment to fostering data-driven solutions for national development.

“PIDE has always championed ideas that drive change and progress. Through relentless dedication and a focus on evidence-based research, the institute has contributed significantly to Pakistan’s policy-making process,” Dr. Haque stated. He further stressed the importance of embracing innovative ideas, encouraging a collective shift in mindset away from dependence on government alone, and towards individual responsibility and ownership for meaningful progress.

PIDE continues to cultivate a thriving network of knowledge, connecting researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to create sustainable growth. “Ideas survive through networks, and knowledge thrives through connections,” Dr. Haque remarked, acknowledging PIDE’s role in fostering these vital intellectual exchanges.

Dr. Durre Nayab, former Director of Research and Pro Vice-Chancellor of PIDE, presented a comprehensive research showcase, highlighting the institution’s achievements over the past five years.

She said that since 2019, PIDE has significantly diversified its research output, introducing a variety of publications including monographs, policy viewpoints, knowledge briefs, PIDE Analytics, and webinar briefs. The institute’s innovative approach has also led to the launch of discourse magazines, animated videos, and documentaries, making research more accessible and impactful for a wider audience.

PIDE’s research spans crucial areas of Pakistan’s socio-economic development, focusing on cities and urban development, public sector management, agriculture and real estate markets, power sector reform, fiscal policy, youth opportunities, housing, and foreign aid. By addressing these diverse themes, PIDE remains dedicated to generating evidence-based policy research that influences sustainable solutions to national and global challenges.

The institute’s digital presence has grown significantly, with over 540 webinars featuring 32 Nobel Laureates and international academicians. PIDE’s YouTube platform has produced 1,091 videos, attracting 2.2 million views and over 215,000 hours of watch time, cementing its role as a leader in digital engagement and knowledge dissemination.

The event also featured several panels on key topics, with active participation from leading experts:

The Macroeconomy panel, moderated by Mahmood Khalid, focused on concurrent issues and reforms needed to stabilize Pakistan’s economy. Speakers Hafsa Hina, Uzma Zia, and others, presented actionable insights on fiscal policy, inflation control, and economic growth.

The Regulatory Burden & Sludge panel, moderated by Ahmed Waqar Qasim, featured experts like Nasir Iqbal and Usman Qadir, who critically examined Pakistan’s regulatory environment and called for streamlined processes to reduce inefficiencies in governance.

The session on Opportunities and Digital Rights, moderated by Shahid Mehmood, brought attention to the increasing importance of digital transformation in Pakistan, with panelists like Fizzah Khalid Butt and Henna Ahsan advocating for inclusive digital policies.

The Cities as Engines of Growth session emphasized the role of urban centers in driving economic progress. Moderated by Muhammad Shaaf Najib, panelists such as Saba Anwar and Lubna Hassan discussed the need for sustainable urban planning and infrastructure development.

The final panel on Markets: Energy, Agriculture & Real Estate featured insightful discussions by experts like Afia Malik and Abedullah Anjum, who highlighted the critical challenges and opportunities in Pakistan’s key markets.

A key highlight of the day was the Grand Conversation with Nobel Laureate Michael Spence, moderated by Nadeem Ul Haque. Spence offered valuable insights on Development Strategies in a More Complex and Difficult Global Economy, emphasizing the importance of strategic reforms in emerging markets like Pakistan. His discussion provided global context to Pakistan’s challenges, offering a roadmap for navigating a complex global economic environment. Professor Spenser greatly appreciated the work PIDE has produced during Dr Nadeem’s tenure and wished that the successor would keep this momentum going for larger impact on policy decisions.

ISLAMABAD, OCT 1 /DNA/ – An important meeting was held by Chairman Muhammad Ali Randhawa while the Member Administration, Member Engineering and other relevant senior officers also attended it. The meeting reviewed the ongoing beautification drive across Islamabad as well as the renovation and uplift of the Jinnah Convention Center (JCC) in the wake of the upcoming Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting.

The Chairman CDA was briefed about the preparations which include extensive renovations at the Jinnah Convention Center and a city-wide beautification drive. He was briefed about the key initiatives which involved the lighting, renovation, and aesthetic enhancement of interchanges, overhead bridges, underpasses, and pedestrian bridges. Besides, main roads are undergoing repairs and maintenance to ensure smooth traffic flow during the international event.

Furthermore, the meeting briefed about the ongoing landscaping and horticultural work around the Convention Center, as well as along green belts and median strips on major roads across Islamabad. The restoration of fountains, lane marking, and the installation of kurb stones and signboards are being fast-tracked.

 The Chairman instructed that the field teams of CDA should work round the clock to complete these tasks.

Afterwards, Chairman CDA, Muhammad Ali Randhawa, also conducted a detailed visit and inspected the ongoing work at the Jinnah Convention Centre.

During the visit, Chairman CDA was briefed about the various improvements being made, aimed at bringing the Convention Center at par with the international standards. He overall expressed satisfaction on the progress of the work and instructed to complete the minor work immediately. He was briefed that CDA is going to hand over the ground floor of the Jinnah Convention Center to Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mofa) and while the remaining parts of the Center will be handed over to Mofa soon after the finishing of minor works. 

He inspected the installation of state-of-the-art equipment such as SMD screens, digital boards, and advanced conferencing systems. Additionally, modern lighting, state of the art sound system, interpretation system and high-speed internet facilities have been inspected to ensure smooth operations during the SCO. Furniture and carpets have been replaced with premium quality stuff and material.

Chairman CDA was also briefed that landscaping and horticultural would enhance the surrounding environment of the Center as well.

Chairman Randhawa emphasized that the goal of these renovation efforts is to make the Jinnah Convention Centre a premier venue to receive and welcome delegates and dignitaries for the SCO Summit and other high-profile events.

ISLAMABAD, OCT 01 (DNA) — Pakistan Railways is all set to restore the Jaffar Express passenger train run between Quetta and Peshawar by the next week, after a weeks-long suspension.

“The 39-Up and 40-Down Jaffar Express, which operates between Quetta and Peshawar Cantonment will resume its service during the second week of October according to the summer timetable,” an official in the Ministry told media.

He said that the train services were suspended across the country on August 26 after a key railway bridge between Kolpur and Mach was destroyed in a blast carried out by the banned organization of Balochistan.

The official said the blast was a part of multiple coordinated attacks carried out that night by dozens of armed militants in Lasbela, Musakhail, Kachi, Kalat and Mastung districts.

He said following the destruction of the railway bridge, Pakistan Railways halted all incoming and outgoing passenger and goods train services from Quetta to Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar.

The official said that 90 percent of the repair work of the bridge had been completed, and matters had also been settled with the local administration and the FC to ensure the safety of the railway track, bridge, and train.

“A trial run will be conducted after the railway track is laid on the newly constructed bridge, which is expected next week,” the official added.

Currently, the official said that no passenger or goods train services are operational between Quetta and the rest of the country.

To a question, he said the expenditure of only three heads including regular salaries, pension, and operational fuel (HSD) is about 89 percent of the total expense, thus leaving only 11 percent of its total budget for utilities, repair, and maintenance of its operational assets.

The official said that in addition, Pakistan Railways is bound to follow the Federal Government pay and pension structure, adding that pension, with exponential growth, is a fundamental challenge that had adversely impacted its performance.

He said that Pakistan Railways is bearing all its operating expenses including salary, and fuel from its revenues except pension which is provided by the federal government through annual grants in aid. In view of the explained position, the Pakistan Railways cannot be considered as a loss-making entity. —DNA