Currently, Pakistan is facing many external and internal challenges which are further compounded by existing commodity super cycle and geo-political situation. The economic growth is not creating enough opportunities; however short-term decisions and patchwork remained norm rather than exception. Socio-economic landscape of Pakistan needs tactical solutions for Economic problems. A quick round of wider consultations of experts of different fields is required to come out of this quagmire.
The government has already taken necessary short-term actions to stabilize the economy and deal with looming balance of payments crisis. However, the focus will be placed on the medium to long-term therapy required to bring Pakistan’s economy to full strength as well. Vision 2025 will be the first stage of a greater, more long-term vision leading up to our first centenary in 2047.
Turnaround Pakistan Conference will draw upon extensive consultations with a very wide range of stakeholders. They included Political Parties, Federal Ministries, Provincial Governments, National and International Private Sector Entrepreneurs, International Development and Financial Institutions, Academia, Think Tanks, Independent Experts, NGOs and other parts of Civil society of the country. A major national consultative conference, which include over thousands of people, will be held in 28,June, 2022 which will be chaired by the Prime Minister, and attended by different Leaders from all walks of life. The participants of the conference will be divided into 7 broad Thematic Groups, which will further sub-divided into various sub-groups. Later, consultative workshops will be organized in all the four provinces and AJ&K with the sole objective of mustering up support of all stakeholders for preparing a national strategy to come out of this crisis like situation. Earlier reports on medium-term planning in Pakistan will also drawn upon in preparing Conference document.
A nation must have a clear idea of its destination for progress; without this, it will be unable to prepare a road map and to implement the policies that would lead it there. Outcome of the Conference will provide a short to medium-term framework to support the country in formulating a coordinated set of policies to deal with its immediate economic crises and to attain number of crucial goals beyond that. Moreover, in order for the framework to be practicable, performance indicators will be developed and there will be a process for regularly monitoring progress against those indicators.
Vision 2025 rests on seven pillars and these pillars have been identified as the key drivers of growth which will transform Pakistan into a vibrant and prosperous nation. These 7 pillars have significance for short-term solutions or quick fixes for existing socio-economic problems. However, for these pillars to be truly effective, certain pre-requisites or key enablers like political stability, peace and security, rule of law and social justice, must be met. Seven pillars are explained below;
Pillar-I: Putting People First: Developing Human and Social Capital:
Vision 2025 seeks to provide every citizen the opportunity to improve his/her choices and quality of life. This requires capitalizing upon existing social capital, strengthening it and improving the human skill base of the population to optimally contribute to and effectively benefit from economic growth. Pakistan has to make significant leap forward in areas like education, health and social development to catch up with its peers.
Pillar- II: Achieving Sustained, Indigenous and Inclusive Growth:
The objective of Vision 2025 is to provide better living standards to every Pakistani irrespective of any caste, creed, area, religious or political affiliation by mobilizing indigenous resources. Every effort will be made to make every Pakistani better off in 2025 with a high living standard. Pakistan has many horizontal and vertical, intra and inter-provincial, as well as rural and urban inequalities. We envision a strategy for developing a united and equitable society through a balanced development approach, social uplift and rapid broad based growth. This will ensure provision of opportunities and fruits of economic development to all segments of society.
Pillar-III: Institutional Reform and Democratic Governance:
Enabling an efficient and transparent government which operates under the rule of law and provides security of life and property to its people. Our goal is to enable consistent excellence in the management of political, economic, and administrative infrastructure to manage national affairs by strengthening and streamlining associated institutions. The Vision will strive to develop a skilled, motivated and “results focused” civil service, an effective regulatory framework and an infrastructure that leverages supporting technology and global best practices. Further, Vision 2025 is designed to take advantage of the immense strength inherent in the 18th Amendment to the Constitution and the associated focus on tailoring and deploying reforms specifically suited to each of our federating units and associated local bodies.
Pillar-IV: Energy, Water & Food Security:
Sufficient, reliable, clean and cost-effective availability of energy, water and food – for now and the future – is indispensable to ensure sustainable economic growth and development. These key sectors have suffered historically from severe failings of policy and execution. Meeting this challenge has been further complicated due to the severe impact of ongoing Climate Change. A renewed national consensus exists to commit major new investment through unprecedented public and private sector collaboration to bridge very large gaps that threaten the wellbeing and progress of our country. While investments to ensure the needed additional supply are being made, we are equally committed to creating and encouraging a culture of conservation and efficiency in the usage of energy and water.
Pillar-V: Private Sector-Led Growth:
Vision 2025 seeks to make Pakistan a highly attractive destination for private sector investment, with conditions that allow private investors to successfully participate in its development. Vision 2025 aims to achieve sustained engagement of the private sector where the resources and skills available across all sectors are fully employed to achieve the defined targets.
Pillar-VI: Improving National Competitiveness:
National competitiveness refers to the ability to produce and deliver products and services effectively and profitably in relation to other, competing countries. Improving our national competitiveness is therefore critical to our ability to utilize are resources in a productive manner – based on merit, quality and innovation instead of unproductive rent seeking behaviors and performance. Vision 2025 envisages fundamental improvements in competitiveness across the industrial/ manufacturing, services and agricultural sectors. Competitiveness is about achieving efficiency and productivity to enable self-sustaining enterprises, thereby boosting their share in the international market and raising the overall level of prosperity and wellbeing of the nation.
Pillar-VII Modernization of Transportation Infrastructure & Greater Regional Connectivity:
Vision 2025 seeks to establish an efficient and integrated transportation system that will facilitate the development of a competitive economy. Key related targets are to ensure reduction in transportation costs, safety in mobility, effective connectivity between rural areas and markets /urban centers, inter-provincial high-speed connectivity, integrated road/rail networks between economic hubs (including air, sea and dry ports) and also high-capacity transportation corridors connecting major regional partners.
A strategic program of regional connectivity is envisaged to connect Pakistan through enhanced physical infrastructure development (physical connectivity), effective institutional arrangements (institutional connectivity) and empowered people (people-to-people connectivity). Building enhanced regional connectivity requires not only the development of new strategies and institutions, but also investment in more effective implementation of existing and future initiatives.
The government will embark upon the process of unclogging of inter-corporate circular debt menace, improving national security framework, fast track work on Pak-China Economic Corridor (CPEC), reforms on budgetary framework including tax administration reforms, engagement with business community etc. These actions could not undermine the importance of a holistic approach to socio-economic transformation through a national consensus.
The underlying growth strategy of the Vision 2025 recognizes that the country cannot jump immediately to high rates of economic growth from the current modest economic growth.
- At the first stage, efforts will be undertaken to revive the economy to its short-term potential GDP growth rate of about 5–6 percent a year on sustained basis. If issues regarding energy governance are resolved and some credible macro stability reached–this could be achieved in a short time.
- The government is trying to support growth through deep and sustained reforms–in areas such as public sector management, developing competitive markets, urban management and connecting people and places—as a way forward for accelerating growth to above 7 per cent.
2022 Turn Around Conference
28 June 2022,Jinnah Convention Center Islamabad
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