Consultation Process-Stakeholders Dialogue

Framework for Economic Growth of Pakistan

Executive Summary of Abbottabad Workshop

COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT), Abbottabd 4th October, 2011

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Framework for Economic Growth of Pakistan

“Stakeholders Dialogue” Organized by COMSATS Institute of Information Technology (CIIT), Abbottabd

in collaboration with Planning Commission of Pakistan, Governance Institutes Network International (GINI) and

Department of International Development (DFID)-UK

4th October, 2011

Executive Summary of Abbottabad-Haripur-Mansehra Community Outreach Workshop

The Abbottabad-Haripur-Mansehra Community Outreach Workshop was the fifth stakeholders’ dialogue under the consultation process spreading over nine workshops involving all stakeholders for creating economic literacy and local ownership of the economic reforms under the Framework for Economic Growth of Pakistan formulated by the Planning Commission and approved by the National Economic Council. It was organized by the COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabd (CIIT) in collaboration with the Planning Commission of Pakistan, the Governance Institutes Network International (GINI) and DFID on 4th October, 2011 as per agenda and participants details given at Annex-I & II respectively. Selected press clippings covering the stakeholders’ dialogue at Abbottabad are attached separately Inaugural Session Dr. Nizam-ud-din, Vice-chancellor of University of Gujrat, was the chairperson of the workshop and its five sessions related to Framework for Economic Growth of Pakistan. In his opening remarks, Dr. Nizam highlighted the important reasons for not achieving a sustained acceleration of growth in Pakistan. He said that so many good policy proposals and plans were prepared but these were never actualized. While explaining the vision of Dr. Nadeemul Haq, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, Dr. Nizam appreciated the Planning Commission on development of framework for Economic Growth of Pakistan, involving experts and the stakeholders following extensive research and consultation. He further informed the participants; academia, members of Chambers of Commerce and Industries, SMEDA representatives and students that from this workshop we could have: • Unusual strategy in the wake of economic crisis. • City infrastructure planning, vibrant markets and family businesses and creative

entrepreneurs. • Job placement with economic activities increasing day by day. • Feel your responsibility for policy recommendations to the Planning Commission, Participate in discussions – build a need for change in planning process. Dr. Mushtaq Khan Jadoon (HOD Management Sciences, CIIT), also admired the Planning Commission consultation process and involving the academia and stakeholders in the policy formulation process. Mr. Imran Ghaznavi, Advisor, Planning Commission briefed the participants on the objectives of the stakeholders’ dialogue on economic growth of Pakistan. He said that the purpose of the workshop was to obtain stakeholders’ views on factors that undermine the growth rates and efficiency in order to develop doable implementation strategy.

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The key note speech was delivered by Dr. Nadeem-ul-Haq Deputy Chairman Planning Commission of Pakistan, through his about 30 minutes video address covering the root causes of current dismal economic picture of Pakistan and the salient features of the Framework for Economic Growth of Pakistan for achieving a sustained growth rate of 7% per annum for the next 20 years for its burgeoning into a developed country. Stakeholders’ Dialogue The stakeholders’ dialogue was conducted with brief video clips on the framework themes followed by open discussion as given in the agenda. As a result of stakeholders’ dialogue during the workshop, following key points of both consensus and contention emerged covering a series of key areas for follow-up implementation of the Framework for Economic Growth of Pakistan formulated by the Planning Commission:

1. Build better public sector and service delivery institutions, locally with efficient governance through good regulations. Change of mind set is required. Create pressure groups for Government to implement initiatives such as NGF strategy for a better quality of life.

2. Improving documentation of property ownership titles and ease in using these as collateral for bank loans would help in promoting SMEs and particularly the growth of poor and rural life as professed by noble laureate De-Sotto.

3. Role of universities should be defined for policy research purposes. Develop capacity for software projects at universities for industrial growth. Innovative research work is required from university graduates for our governance systems, banking systems, industries and private entrepreneurs. Universities and youth, students and engineers should also initiate connectivity with local industrial units to get benefits for research and projects during their case studies.

4. Promote industry-based infrastructure through public-private community participation. SIDB operationalized 2.5 billion in 3-industrial estates in Hazara benefiting 2 million people from this initiative.

5. Openness, public sector reforms and privatization will make space for increased entrepreneurship in Pakistan. The heavy government participation in agriculture, storage, transport, construction etc. is adding hurdles to the foreign investment. Several markets require government to move from producing and directly participating in markets to just regulation.

6. Energy crisis within the country can be resolved effectively if government handovers the power plant projects to private sector under well-defined and transparent terms & conditions.. Pakistan is a country that is rich in natural resources but unfortunately its policy makers have not made and implemented effective policies that could use these resources efficiently. Issues of inefficiency, circular debt and corruption in public energy sector, tariff structure and recovery failure need focus. Pre-fed meters for electricity are also a solution to overcome theft/recovery issues. There is also a need for change in the attitude of society towards energy consumption through energy saving friendly building codes, use of energy efficient home appliances, energy saving technical solutions. 7-8% energy can be saved with usage of proper appliances.

7. In development of creative cities, vibrant and competitive markets Planning Commission advisors should protect the interests of local retailers whose businesses are going to be affected by opening of mega shopping malls. Also the implications of being in seismic zone like Margalla Towers experience should be kept in view while planning hi-rise dense city center. Proper transition strategy is required to demolish older buildings for new building infrastructure.

8. Provision of quality education to youth of Pakistan and their market led skills development be promoted. Promote youth involvement in civic and positive activities and provide civic facilities with ownership awareness amongst communities.

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Remarks/Leading Questions raised by the participants:

1. Economic policy makers should consider the aspects of recovery of foreign debt, ultimate dispute settlement and utilization of country assets before implementing the framework for economic growth

2. Policies related to vibrant markets and creative cities should consider the ground realties of Pakistan.

3. Poor quality of governance – democracy without participation of common people? 4. In our obtaining environment, laying down proper qualifications for the electorate

instead of the elected would help in improving our democratic process. 5. What are the real reasons for not taking timely action by the Government on matters

of public importance? It was only through recent country wide public protests that the Government was forced to address the issue of prolonged electricity load shedding.

6. How to promote rights of rural poor – food and shelter, education and health are the basic needs of the poor which are beyond access of the rural poor.

7. What would be the effects of deregulation on prices of essential commodities - uncontrolled price situation; hike in prices will cause more poverty.

8. Cultural and social loss burden on our universities. 9. Youth is depressed – ineffective political environment 10. Retrieval of looted monies in foreign banks 11. Transparent and objective taxation system. 12. Heavy line losses of power are mainly due to theft and less due to technical reasons.

This combined with the weak bill recovery mechanism has increased burden over supply side.

13. Water, wind, coal and solar resources are available in Abbottabad area for meeting our supplying needs. Allow small power generating plants on downstream of Indus River in our region.

14. Why our higher public offices like Prime Minister’s Sectt, Presidency, Parliament are not made to endured power shortages like a common man and why energy consumption is not economized in these setups for setting examples for the general public

15. Declaring two public holidays in a week is not the solution for energy shortfalls. 16. Along Indus, we can build small hydel dams – 130 sites are surveyed. Potential is

available. 17. Adoption of innovative strategy – partnerships with COMSATS on full utilization and

value addition of wood, cotton, engineering industries in Abbottabad region 18. We need to flourish silicon valley type cities like Bangalore, India 19. Our consumers prefer to shop from local retailers, groceries and not from the big

malls. 20. Protect our local industrialists and factories; Faisalabad industries, SMEs are leaving

this country and settling in Dubai, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Save migrating industries and manufacturing units to save our exports

General Observations on Framework for Economic Growth of Pakistan

1. NGF only focuses on quality of life in material terms; how would it happen without due focus on promotion of social value system

2. Proper road maps for implementation of NGF with delineation of roles of stakeholders and time framework be developed

3. Suggested targeted improvements for NGF: i. Diagnosed findings for developing inter-linkages – parameters of social

capital and investments for increasing growth.

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ii. Investors’ expectations and confidence from government side – cost of doing business.

iii. Free of cost information – verification – registration documentation. iv. Increase transparency in documentation of taxation. v. Factors affecting business growth – are – recovery of debt and taxes.

vi. Alternate dispute settlements between industrialists and government machinery, using social human capital and media supporting environment.

Concluding Remarks In his concluding remarks, Dr. Nazimuddin, VC University of Gujrat summarized the stakeholders’ dialogue as follows:

1. 65 years complex issues and policies – message is to create awareness for change. 2. Local enterprises – promote youth participation. 3. Density – take example of Egypt, 4% of land is occupied – 96% is desert and riverine,

still they have utilized the best of their available land for agricultural as well as industrial growth. They introduced drip-irrigation in desert lands for agriculture, food, fruit products.

4. Public transit systems for transportation are required. 5. Youth examples are Asian tigers, like Thailand, South Korea, Turkey, investing in

trade and industries. 6. Opportunities are available to us – skilled / vocational training is required and not just

academic education to our younger generations. 7. Private SMEs developing – strengthen further to make them profitable, provide

experts to SMEs for better productivity and increase in their manufacturing products. 8. Scholars from universities should write papers on various themes for sharing their

recommendations/constructive practical research findings and providing concrete solutions to policy planning forums and to the Planning Commission.

At the end, Prof. Dr. Khan Gul Jadoon, Director CIIT, Abbottabad acknowledged the presence of panelists, Planning Commission, and all stakeholders on being a part of this workshop. He stressed upon the skill development of Pakistani youth, as they will be the future leaders of Pakistan. He appreciated the facilitators on being well prepared and responsive towards the stakeholder’s questions. Dr. Khan Gul Jadoon recognized this workshop as an effective platform for discussing the economic policy with the stakeholders. Souvenirs were also distributed among all the panelists for their effective participation.

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ANNEX-I

ABBOTTABAD-HARIPUR-MANSHERA COMMUNITY OUTREACH WORKSHOP Framework for Economic Growth of Pakistan

COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabd 4th October, 2011

PROGRAM Time Activity 0930-1000 Registration/ Guests to be seated - Azeem Shahzad Hall of CIIT Abbottabad

1000-1100 INAUGURAL SESSION 1000-1005 Recitation of the Holy Quran by Mr. Miraj Muhammad, CIIT

1005-1015 Welcome Address by Prof. Dr. Khan Gul Jadoon, Director CIIT, Abbottabad

1015-1020 Remarks by Mr. Imran Ghaznavi, Advisor, Planning Commission of Pakistan

1020-1050 Video Address by Dr. Nadeem ul Haq, Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission of Pakistan

Stakeholders Dialogue on Salient Aspects of Framework for Economic Growth of Pakistan: Panelists from Planning Commission

1. Mr. Imran Ghaznavi, Advisor, Planning Commission 2. Dr. Muhammad Sabir Afridi, Planning Commission 3. Dr. Haroon Sarwar Awan, Planning Commission

1050-1130 Role of Government/Result Based Management in Public Sector/Civil Service Reform- Panelist from CIIT

1. Dr. Muhammad Nizamuddin, VC, University of Gujrat 2. Prof. Dr. Khan Gul Jadoon, Director CIIT 3. Mr. Azhar Hussain Shah, National Bank of Pakistan, Abbottabad

1130-1200 Energy Panelist from CIIT

1. Dr. Abdur Rasheed, CIIT 2. Ms. Tamana Banori, National Project Coordinator, ENERCON/UNDP (BRESL Project) 3. Mr. Babur Mahmud Shirazi, Chairman ,Hattar Industrialists Association

1200-1230 Market Reforms & Entrepreneurship- Panelist from CIIT

1. Prof. Dr. Syed Amjad Farid Hasnu, Dean FBA CIIT 2. Haji Iftikhar, President, Small Industrial Estate, Abbottabad 3. Dr. M. Mushtaq Khan, HoD Mgt SCi. Dept, CIIT

1230-1300 Urban/Rural Development& Connectivity- Panelist from CIIT

1. Syed Akthtar Hussain Shah, MD, SIDB KPK 2. Prof. Dr. Shehla Amjad, CIIT 3. Dr. M. Mushtaq Khan, HoD Mgt SCi. Dept, CIIT

1300-1330 Youth & Community Engagement Moderated by – Panelist from CIIT

1. Prof. Dr. Shehla Amjad, CIIT 2. Mr. Murtaza Noor, HEC / CSP 3. Dr. Iqtidar Ali Shah, CIIT

1330-1345 Concluding Remarks

1345-1430 Lunch

Stage Secretary- Mr Shahid Masood, Mr. Ubaid Ali, Lecturers, CIIT, Abbottabad

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ANNEX-II

ABBOTTABAD-HARIPUR-MANSHERA COMMUNITY OUTREACH WORKSHOP Framework for Economic Growth of Pakistan

COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabd 4th October, 2011

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

Name Organization Designation Dr. Muhammad Nizamuddin University of Gujrat VC Prof. Dr. Khan Gul Jadoon CIIT Abbottabad Director Mr. Azhar Hussain Shah National Bank of Pakistan, Abbottabad Dr. Abdur Rasheed CIIT Abbottabad Ms. Tamana Banori

ENERCON/UNDP (BRESL Project) National Project

Coordinator Mr. Babur Mahmud Shirazi Hattar Industrialists Association Chairman Prof. Dr. Syed Amjad Farid Hasnu CIIT Abbottabad Dean FBA Haji Iftikhar

Small Industrial Estate, Abbottabad President

Dr. M. Mushtaq Khan CIIT Abbottabad HoD Mgt SCi. Dept Syed Akthtar Hussain Shah SIDB KPK MD Prof. Dr. Shehla Amjad CIIT Abbottabad Mr. Murtaza Noor HEC Dr. Iqtidar Ali Shah CIIT Abbottabad Prof. Dr. Khawaja Farooq Ahmad CIIT Abbottabad Professor Mr. Ubaid Ali, Lecturer CIIT Abbottabad Mr. Imran Ghaznavi Planning Commission Advisor Dr. Muhammad Sabir Afridi Planning Commission Director Dr. Haroon Sarwar Awan Planning Commission Director Javeria Hashmi Sungi Abbottabad Prog.coordinator Naveed National Bank Vice President Ghulam Sarwar Sungi Abbottabad Prog.coordinator Dr.Akhtar Shah Small Industries Managing Director Haji Iftikhar Ahmed Small Industries Syed Shauqat Hussain Small Industries General Secretary Naveed Ikram SSCI VP Syed Azeem Shah Small Industries Managing Director M.Tayyab Fine Match Hattar Director Eng.Irfan Ahmed Gutnaw.Env Organization Sec.General Dr.Abdul Waheed Agricultural Dept. Executive officer M.Younas Agricultural Dept. Dist. Director Rashid Javaid Daily Dawn Reporter M.Rafeeq Sahara Haripur Project Manager Murtaza HEC Prog. Manager Sahar Hussain PC Consultant Amna Khalid PC UNDP NIO Tamana ENERCON Consultant Sadia Ijaz SIABAN DC Child Baber Mahmood DMD Awais Qadir Kims Biscuits Hattar Engineer Amna Abbasi SRSP FSO Murtaza Khan SRSP RFM Shahid Anwar Read Organization Coordinator Brig. Muhammad Saleem, Retd GINI Consultant Zaheer Ahmed GINI Manager Admin.

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Sajad ul Hassan GINI Web manager Tassawar Planning Commission UN Danish Planning Commission UN Mubarik Ahmed ONAAR President Hamid M. Jadoon TVO ARO Sardar Khurshid Advocate Dr. Wasim Ikram AP Dr. Amjad Ali AP Dr. Imran Naseem AP Mr. Jamil Anwar AP Mr. Khalid Zaman AP Mr. Immad Khan Jadoon PM-Mgt/ HR Mr. S. Nadeem Bokhari AP Ms. Tabassum Rashid PM-Fin Mr. M. Waseem AP Mr. Rao Mohammad Atif PM-Eco Mr. S. Afzaal Shah AP Mr. Mansoor Nazir Bhatti DOO/AP Mr. Ghiasuddin Shah MP-Mkt/IB Mr. Mohammad Aamir DC-MS Sardar Sajid CIIT Abbottabad Counselor Mr. S. Fida Hussain Shah CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Mr. Shahid Masood CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Mr. Tauseef Ahmad CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Mr. Amjad Sohail CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Mr. Arshad Aziz CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Mr. Khalid Mehmood CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Mr. Omar Hassan CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Mr. Ubaid Ali CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Mr. Zaheer Ahmad Swati CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Mr. Tauqeer Shams CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Mr. Malik Fahim Bashir CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Mr. Fayyaz Sheikh CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Mr. Imran Qureshi CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Mr. Zafar Iqbal CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Mr. Assad Rafaq CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Mr. Awais Rashid CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Ms. Amina Hameed CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Mr. Qazi Shujat CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Mr. Junaid Ahmad CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Mr. Naveed Iqbal CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Mr. Bilal bin Saeed CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Mr. Tariq Farid CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Ms. Zohra Salim CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Mr. Naveed Jan CIIT Abbottabad AP/CDC Mr. Mohammad Asif CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Ms. Faiza Sajjad CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Mr. Mansoor Shahab CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Mr. Mudassar Abbasi CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Mr. Mohammad Ali CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Mr. S. Qasim Shjah CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Ms. Uzma Raja CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Mr. Khan Burahan Khan CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Mr. Muhammad Umar Farooq CIIT Abbottabad Lecturer Aqsa Aslam CIIT Abbottabad Student

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Madiha Paul CIIT Abbottabad Student Adeel Waqar CIIT Abbottabad Student Yasir Mehmood CIIT Abbottabad Student Sadaf CIIT Abbottabad Student Zainab CIIT Abbottabad Student Adeela CIIT Abbottabad Student Nazish CIIT Abbottabad Student Saiqa CIIT Abbottabad Student Sehrish CIIT Abbottabad Student Ayesha CIIT Abbottabad Student Zahid ul Haq CIIT Abbottabad Student Atif Ali Shah CIIT Abbottabad Student Khalid Khan CIIT Abbottabad Student Beenish CIIT Abbottabad Student Sumbal Sajid CIIT Abbottabad Student Tahir Akhtar CIIT Abbottabad Student Ehsan Javed CIIT Abbottabad Student Zubair CIIT Abbottabad Student Gul Bahar CIIT Abbottabad Student Sadia CIIT Abbottabad Student Mehwish CIIT Abbottabad Student Fatima Hameed CIIT Abbottabad Student Sadia Ahmad CIIT Abbottabad Student Ambreen Saleem CIIT Abbottabad Student Abdullah Umair CIIT Abbottabad Student

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ANNEX-III PRESS CLIPPINGS – CIIT ABBOTTABAD WORKSHOP, OCT 6, 2011 

  Daily The Dawn, Oct 6, 2011

 

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