Asset 1

Global Go To Think Tank Index (GGTTI) 2020 launched                    111,75 Think Tanks across the world ranked in different categories.                SDPI is ranked 90th among “Top Think Tanks Worldwide (non-US)”.           SDPI stands 11th among Top Think Tanks in South & South East Asia & the Pacific (excluding India).            SDPI notches 33rd position in “Best New Idea or Paradigm Developed by A Think Tank” category.                SDPI remains 42nd in “Best Quality Assurance and Integrity Policies and Procedure” category.              SDPI stands 49th in “Think Tank to Watch in 2020”.            SDPI gets 52nd position among “Best Independent Think Tanks”.                           SDPI becomes 63rd in “Best Advocacy Campaign” category.                   SDPI secures 60th position in “Best Institutional Collaboration Involving Two or More Think Tanks” category.                       SDPI obtains 64th position in “Best Use of Media (Print & Electronic)” category.               SDPI gains 66th position in “Top Environment Policy Tink Tanks” category.                SDPI achieves 76th position in “Think Tanks With Best External Relations/Public Engagement Program” category.                    SDPI notches 99th position in “Top Social Policy Think Tanks”.            SDPI wins 140th position among “Top Domestic Economic Policy Think Tanks”.               SDPI is placed among special non-ranked category of Think Tanks – “Best Policy and Institutional Response to COVID-19”.                                            Owing to COVID-19 outbreak, SDPI staff is working from home from 9am to 5pm five days a week. All our staff members are available on phone, email and/or any other digital/electronic modes of communication during our usual official hours. You can also find all our work related to COVID-19 in orange entries in our publications section below.    The Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) is pleased to announce its Twenty-third Sustainable Development Conference (SDC) from 14 – 17 December 2020 in Islamabad, Pakistan. The overarching theme of this year’s Conference is Sustainable Development in the Times of COVID-19. Read more…       FOOD SECIRITY DASHBOARD: On 4th Nov, SDPI has shared the first prototype of Food Security Dashboard with Dr Moeed Yousaf, the Special Assistant to Prime Minister on  National Security and Economic Outreach in the presence of stakeholders, including Ministry of National Food Security and Research. Provincial and district authorities attended the event in person or through zoom. The dashboard will help the government monitor and regulate the supply chain of essential food commodities.

The Frontier Post

Published Date: Mar 5, 2013

Connectivity can secure a prosperous future

Experts
at a seminar on Monday said enhanced physical, economic and social connectivity
can secure a prosperous future for South Asia region.
They said, South Asia is one of the least connected regions in the world and
called for improved connectivity for smooth flow of goods, services, people,
technologies, knowledge, capital, culture and ideas throughout the region.
They also demanded policy makers in Pakistan to reform laws, develop new
business models and involve private sectors for investments to promote
connectivity and development.

They
were discussing at a seminar on “Regional Connectivity and Economic Growth”
organized SDPI here on Monday. Speaking at the occasion, Dr Vaqar Ahmed, Deputy
Executive Director, SDPI said that connectivity discourse should not be limited
to mere physical infrastructure but social and people to people connectivity
must also be considered for regional integration.

Talking
of communications network and services in Pakistan, Dr Vaqar argued that state
is intervening as major player that is competing with private sector through
monopoly corporations such as NLC, PIA, and Railway.

Referring
to Pakistan’s new framework for economic growth, Dr. Vaqar said that government
should support public private partnership and promote privatization. He said,
Projects at inception and PC1 phase must first be offered to private sector. He
also cited ‘Sialkot Dry Port Trust’ a successful model and suggested to
replicate it further. Underlining the need to use ICT infrastructure to
decrease costs and increase efficiency, Dr Vaqar said, automation of all custom
ports of Pakistan will provide a comprehensive electronic data interchange
system.

M.
Naveed Iftikhar, Governance Specialist, Ministry of Finance citing reasons such
as outdated railway law, non-commercial structure, governance and lack of
professionals for downfall of railways he said that federal budget is more inclined
towards roads.

“In
last five year plan from 1998-2005, the 80 percent of federal budget was
allocated for investment on roads as compared to mere 20 percent on Railways.
This shows government priories and as a result over the years railways inland traffic
has reduced from 40 percent to 10 percent,” he added.

Share
Tweet