Stuck in the past

In the midst of multiple economic and social problems that the country is facing today, we seem to have lost our ability to think. We often get so engrossed in these ad hoc developments that we tend to lose sight of the bigger picture. The point is, what we think about most when we talk of Pakistan is not how the country can or will develop, but rather what the latest political scandal or economic dilemma is.

Let's for a minute, look past all the drama and ask ourselves, what is the government really doing anyway? Well, recently the Planning Commission of Pakistan under the guidance of Dr. Nadeem Ul Haque has started to work on changing the way we think about growth and development. The idea is to progress beyond our current focus on sectors, projects and brick and mortar toward greater emphasis on ‘themes’ of productivity, innovation and entrepreneurship. The “New Development Approach” as Dr Haque calls it rebalances our current emphasis on ‘hardware’ (building, infrastructure and PSDP) to a greater emphasis on the ‘software’ (management, governance reform) of growth.

Why don't we have a political debate about that?

Our economic growth strategy throughout our history has been based on choosing sectors to promote and heavily assisting them through subsidies and tax incentives. The analysis stops at the input stage and we forget to wait for the results or output.

We might be producing more but are we producing it more efficiently? Are we adapting new techniques and ideas to enhance productivity? Are we spending on research and development? Another one of our favourite measures of development is infrastructure – building sophisticated road networks and motorways instead of using existing infrastructure more efficiently.

I was at Jinnah Super market in Islamabad yesterday to buy some DVDs and stopped to get french fries from an Afghani vendor who sets up his stall in the walkway outside the shops. Jalal has been setting up his stall at different spots in markets for several years, but is there any way that he could even conceive of one day having his own proper shop? Maybe hire a few people, give his outlet a fancy name, package the fries well and charge Rs100 instead of Rs20 like he does now? I know a few up-scale places that easily charge more than that and their fries do not taste nearly as good. What about our skilled craftsmen, our talented women who weave beautiful shawls and embroidered fabrics? Where can they set up their stalls and sell their items? They are not allowed anywhere near the city centre. The poor entrepreneur has absolutely no opportunity to succeed - our cities and our local markets are closed to the poor.

Our retail markets - the small cubicle-like shops that we find all around our cities, seem to be stuck in the past like our thinking. What about our boutiques, salons, small offices? Do we wonder why they are operating two houses down on our street instead of in commercial areas? City zoning has refused to adapt to increasing population and changing trends with the common excuse being that the city has already been planned, what can we do now? Re-zone residential areas! Cities are supposed to be fluid and adaptable.

Speaking of being stuck in the past, I came across the state emblem of Pakistan the other day and found that it is comprised of pictures of four crops to show our agricultural-based economy. The four crops are cotton, wheat, jute and tea. Wait – jute and tea?? Do we even grow those – oh that's right, that was East Pakistan.

The ‘new development approach’ identifies well-functioning and ‘creative’ cities and local markets as one of the key ingredients to Pakistan’s economic growth and development. There is a focus on youth and community and most importantly, in the attempt to reach a workable conceptual framework, the ‘new development approach’ asks the right questions.

Pakistan is in need of a complete development strategy overhaul – a shift away from depending on hand-outs and project-based funding. The Planning Commission has decided to take its new approach to the people – through consultations with civil society organisations and workshops with university students and professors across the country. Here is our chance to give new ideas for growth and development. Question is – do we have any?

Published in The News on October 18, 2010