Kumar Niketan

Punjab’s precarious finances need urgent attention and corrections on sustained basis. It needs to expand its economy to raise more revenues , enhance quality of governance and utilise its resources including debt more for productive investments that increase employability of youth, create more jobs and improve living of the common man. Institutional and structural reforms targeting sustainable growth need to be prioritised. My OPeD piece published in the Hindustan Times of 21st August, 2024 discusses some of these issues.

38

6 Comments

🌟The Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab participated in a workshop to collaborate and develop a five-year strategic plan (2024-29). The goal❓ To enhance government oversight and improve service delivery across Punjab. Key takeaways from the workshop: ✅ Continuous evaluation and adaptation are crucial. ✅ Strategic plans must feature regular reporting and measurable outcomes. ✅ Skilled staff and corporate governance are essential. During the workshop, Honourable Speaker Punjab Assembly Mr. Malik Muhammad Khan emphasised the importance of continuous evaluation and alignment of the strategic plan with the evolving needs for effective oversight of the government. 🤝 We thank all participants for their valuable contributions as well as the EU for supporting this workshop and our efforts to promote the development of parliamentary democracy in Pakistan! #EUPakistan #EUSupport #GoodGovernance #StrategicPlanning #PunjabAssembly #CapacityBuilding #PublicServices #MustehkamParlimaan Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

101

2 Comments

Delighted to share our latest #PANJPrimer on state subsidies in Punjab. ➡️A look at how have subsidies progressed in the state over the past five years.How it has impacted State’s fiscal balance💰 Head to our website to read more of our research: www.panj.org.in PANJ Foundation (Policy Advisory and Network for Joint progress) #research #policy #Punjab #subsidy

27

1 Comment

Pakistan at the UN Few thoughts on Pakistan’s position at the United Nations. I explore few points; multilateralism, proactive foreign policy and out of the box thinking at the UN. Effective diplomacy at the world stage needs effective planning and innovative approach. But how do we get there? I answer in this piece for The News International.

16

5 Comments

“Climate change poses a greater security threat to Pakistan because it has the potential to affect temperatures,environment, economy, and future politiies. There are mounting evidence that the effects of climate change on the systems that sustain people and other species are occurring sooner than expected,” A/C to KP Climate Change Policy 2022. #PeaceDay #ClimateAction #KP #UNEnvironment United Nations UN Environment Programme

1

Happy to share my Research Paper published by Center for International Strategic Studies, Islamabad (Official) on “Assessing the Dynamics of US-Pakistan Relations in the Evolving Geopolitical Landscape of South Asia” It delves into understanding the key dynamics between Pakistan and US relations in the backdrop of larger South Asian political architecture Happy reading!

16

7 Comments

Released Today: Transparency International Pakistan has published Local Government District Performance Index 2024 - Sindh Province. The assessment provides a citizen centered feedback on the performance of local government in the Sindh province. The Index offers a governance diagnostic assessment on the key areas of local government service delivery and opportunities for institutional reforms as well as actionable recommendations for improving service delivery and strengthening public trust in the local governance. Read full report here: https://lnkd.in/dRp2Yhf4

16

1 Comment

The transformative power of the PPP model can be enhanced and deepened through better governance, refined regulations, and transparent and inclusive contracting. Strengthening the existing laws and institutions framed for it should be pursued as a matter of policy. Our OPeD piece was published in the Tribune, Chandigarh, today.

33

The 5Es Framework is poised to guide Pakistan’s developmental path. Experts believe it will serve as a blueprint for putting the country on a sustained growth trajectory. The #5Es Framework, provided by the government, offers a tangible pathway for #economic revival in five priority areas: #exports, e-#Pakistan, #environment and #climate change, #energy and #infrastructure, and equity and empowerment Muhammad Awais https://lnkd.in/ebQhjxEg 

12

Is the SCO a missed opportunity for Pakistan? | The Express Tribune - https://lnkd.in/dHBxGvW7 In this article, I explain that despite its strategic location, Pakistan has become irrelevant in transit trade due to its security-focused policies.

20

In a country where effective and cost effective family planning has been challenging, the AHKF program sets a shining example. It's also among the top 5 programs in the history of Pakistan Contraceptive use increased by around 15% for a population of 700,000 (counting both phase 1 and 2) Around 70,000 users supported (both phases) 15,000+ new users added Cost: under Rs. 1400 per user - less than 1/4 of LHW and 1/2 of facility based costs by the public sector Serves urban population which is usually ignored in government or donor programs Demonstrates that data driven programming is more effective and cheaper than business as usual Dr. Luay Shabaneh Naeem Majeed Dr Samukeliso Dube Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary Talib Lashari

46

7 Comments

Honored to present my project findings on "Border Crossing and Economic Nexus: Examining Pak-Afghan & Pak-Iran Border Trade Dynamics in Balochistan at PIDE-RASTA review workshop.This Demand Driven Research (DDR) provides valuable insights into Balochistan's border trade with neighbouring countries.

11

In a compelling analysis, Talha Madni, a candidate in our MA in Peace & Justice program, explores Pakistan's current socio-political climate and whether the country is facing an uprising reminiscent of the Arab Spring. With rising economic instability, political unrest, and growing public discontent, the parallels are striking—and the potential for upheaval is real. #KrocSchool #PeaceAndJustice #Pakistan #ArabSpring #PoliticalChange #SocioPoliticalAnalysis #MAinPeaceAndJustice

4

CLEAR PCA/ CERP, in collaboration with National School of Public Policy (NSPP) trained 30 civil service officers in Lahore to: 💪 strengthen M&E capacity at the systems level, 😀 motivate civil servants to utilize evidence-based approaches, 🙋‍♀️ encourage civil servants to assess the impact of existing policies, and design new ones. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eRUwR99V Global Evaluation Initiative

18