PSDE: The 35th Annual General Meeting

Peshawar, 26 November 2021 (TDI): The 35th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Pakistan Society of Development Economists (PSDE), on “Opportunities to Excel: Now & Future” was held from 22 November to 25 November at the Institute of Management Sciences (IMSciences) Peshawar.

PIDE Collaboration with IMsciences

The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) in collaboration with the Institute of Management Sciences (IMSciences), hosted the event. PSDE AGM, conferences were commenced by Muhammad Aurangzeb, President and CEO of HBL.

The conference was co-sponsored by the World Bank Group, CPEC Center of Excellence, Bank of Punjab, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), Gul Ahmed Textile Mills Limited, NPO Pakistan, HBL, PPAF, Saif Group of Companies, PMIC, and Khyber Bank.

Dr. Nadeem Ul Haq, Vice-Chancellor (VC) of PIDE and President of PSDE, expressed his gratitude for the generous participation and support from IMScience. He mentioned the low return of education in Pakistan. As 50% of university graduates did not benefit much from higher education. The question then arises, what opportunities does the country offer its youth. These factors are resulting in highly discouraged workers and significant dropout rates.

Vice-Chancellor remarks: PIDE

PIDE vice-chancellor informed the audience that according to the PIDE study, the government’s track record in the economy is about 60-80%. In his opening remarks, Muhammad Aurangzeb, President, and CEO of HBL added that coming all the way from Karachi to attend the conference was well worth it.

Earlier, in his welcome speech, Dr. Muhammad Mohsin Khan, Director of IMSciences Peshawar, welcomed the PIDE team and all participants to the conference and assured PIDE of its full support. Dr. Idrees Khawaja, secretary of the PSDE, presented the report of the secretary of the PSDE. He also welcomed all participants to the 35th AGM and the PSDE and PIDE conference, hosted in partnership with IMSciences.

The organizers said PIDE strongly believes that there should be opportunities for everyone, irrespective of the social fabric. This was the second time the AGM has been held outside Islamabad. The aim is to engage the local people and the wider community in the discussions that PSDE seeks to produce.

What is the Role of State? discussion at PSDE

It is in this spirit this year the PSDE conference is being held in Peshawar. It was hoped that local academics, policymakers, and the business community would play a major role in the conference and the results were fruitful. PIDE spokesman also pointed out that Pakistan is experiencing a youth bulge for over a decade now but has not been able to reap a demographic dividend so far.

According to a spokesman, PSDE wants Pakistan to be a place that allows people, identify, avail themselves, and maximize opportunity.  How would this happen? What is the role of the state, markets, and society in identifying, allowing, and maximizing ‘opportunity’? This was the focus of the 35th AGM debate and the PSDE conference. They said that the Institute to make the conference more inclusive has also invited and facilitated students to participate from different regions of the country.

Renowned speakers from diverse backgrounds also joined: AGM

Besides these, renowned speakers from diverse backgrounds also joined. These include Professor Doni Rodrick and Professor Cass Sunstein of Harvard University. Who discussed the topics “Technology, Globalization and Need for a New Model of Development” and “New Frontiers in Behavioral Science: Scarcity, Nudge, Sludge, and Social Practices”.

Arshad Ahmed, Vice-Chancellor, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Hans Timmer; Regional Chief Economist, World Bank, Tochen Hippler, Country Director, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, and Drs. Hafiz Pasha, former federal minister, and many others were part of the conference.

Other prominent national figures from all walks of life include Taimoor Saleem Khan Jhagra (KPK Finance Minister), Yahya Akhunzada (KPK Education Secretary), and Zahoor Ul Haq (VC Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan) spoke at the event.

Moreover, Naseem Zehra ( Journalist), Fasi Zaka (columnist), Pervez Hoodbhoy (Pastor), Muhammad Aurangzeb President HBL, Khalid Mahmood (Deputy Commissioner Peshawar), Hijab Fatimah (Designer / Artist / Director), Haya Fatima (Filmmaker) Sarmad Khoosat (Artist / Director), Wajahat Malik (Documentary Filmmaker) also participated in the event.

Addressing as Chief Guest at the 35th Annual General Meeting

Addressing as a special guest at the 35th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Conference of the Pakistan Institute of Economic Economics on Excel-Now and the Future. Here at the Institute of Management Sciences (IMS) Hayatabad.

President Arif Alvi said that the existing scenarios of international, regional, and local markets demanded speedy progress in fields of IT, Science and Technology, and contemporary Virtual Online Education.

“We need to focus on human resource development and equip our youth with the necessary skills to fully explore the domestic and international markets,”. We need more skilled workers.

The president said the country had all the potential to achieve all economic goals. By adopting an innovative approach and broadening of vision besides a paradigm shift in the educational system.

The president said financial benefits should not be a priority in each case. But rather a focus on humanitarian aspects of life should also be considered to help out poor people. We need to identify global and regional markets and invest appropriately in order to maximize profits. The president added we need to urge the entrepreneurs and businessmen of the country including KP to utilize IT platforms for exploring new markets worldwide.

Aims and Ambitions: PIDE & PSDE

PIDE and PSDE also want to explore society and the economy in terms of the 4th Industrial Revolution. And what opportunities change offers and what society needs so that people took advantage of opportunities and embrace change.

PIDE spokesman further added Pakistan Society of Development Economists (PSDE) is the only Pakistani organization for economists and other social scientists. Also, PSDE provides a professional institutional framework for furthering their research.

The society provides a forum for academics and policymakers to exchange views on the pressing economic and social problems facing Pakistan. Pakistan society of development economists (PSDE) was established in 1982 in the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE).

It provides important forums through Annual General Meetings and Conferences for experts from the economic and social sectors, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and various schools of interest to discuss emerging issues.