Framework for Economic Growth, Pakistan - Planning Commission

International conference on “Framework for Economic Growth, Pakistan”InterviewDr. Aliya KhanDepartment of Economics, QAUQuestion: In your opinion what are the key pillars of this growth strategy?Answer: The key pillars which I understandis that we need to have a more efficientgovernment and efficient markets. The citiesneed to be made dynamic to provideopportunities and spaces for businesses andcommerce. As university teachers have dueemphasis on the youth it is important toanswer that how we prepare the youth andharness their potential to make them partnerin the process of growth and development ofPakistan.Q: Do you think that our system is efficient enough to deliver when we look at the strategy?Answer: I think that it is going to be thebiggest challenge in terms of implementingNGS. I think we should at least open debateon it. Everything would not be possible inthe short term but if we haveimplementation plans we can goaccordingly. I think many institutions are inthe process of reforming themselves becausethey have to fight hard in this globaleconomic environment with the kind ofdecade’s old structures. Pakistani society isawakening and it is going through a kind oftransition and change.Dr. Nadeem very well said that this is a fresh approach and freshapproaches are always difficult to start, propagate and to takeforwardQ: How do you see the entire concept of the growth strategy in the current environment?Answer: I think the New Growth Strategyneeds to be widely debated and consulted.As far as the whole concept is concerned Dr.Nadeem very well said that this is a freshapproach and fresh approaches are alwaysdifficult to start, propagate and to takeforward. So it is important that the PlanningCommission and its partners try to makeconsensus around different issues and I thinkthey might get views they had not thoughtabout. There is wisdom outside in civilsociety organizations as they are working infields and they are well aware of the grassroot level issues. So let us hear them and letus see what opinion they have about theimplementation challenges and about theideological components of this strategy.Q: Do you think that there is a need for selling plan for this growth strategy? And do you think102