Dawn
Published Date: Dec 4, 2019
Documentation of economy is the biggest challenge: Minister
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Asad Umar on Tuesday said revenue generation and documentation of the economy was the biggest challenge and only digitalisation of economy can help solve this challenge.
According to a press release, Mr Umar was speaking at the introductory plenary of 22nd Sustainable Development Conference (SDC) under the overarching theme of ‘Sustainable Development in a Digital Society’ organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI).
Mr Umar said businesses in Pakistan were controlled and influenced by those who had access to policy decisions and capital markets, adding that those who had the best ideas and were willing to work hard were not necessarily the one’s to become winners.
However, he said the advent of digitalisation had the potential to break this barrier.Federal Minister for Climate Change Zartaj Gul said government ministers feed on the data that was provided by scientists and environment experts.
Former finance minister of Punjab Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha said digitalisation was the game-changer and way forward for future economies.
She said her party’s government successfully tackled dengue through the use of technology, which enabled the government to help control the disease from spreading further.
Speaking at a session on ‘Strengthening the Use of Evidence Use in Policy Making for Development Impact’ Department for International Development, Statistics Adviser and Team Leader Andy Murray said there is need to challenge conventional approaches, thought process and understanding and making sure that evidence defines our policy direction.
Former finance minister Sartaj Aziz said evidence-based research has been gaining tract over the years but recently it has gained global limelight adding that the testing and experimental method based on research is providing increasingly better and effective response and impact in development sector due to research-based evidence.
“Multiple burning issues exist and require research-based analysis, for instance polio and dengue recrudescence, micro credit and nutrition. Our political system does not allow land reforms and income distribution and this is where skill comes in and education ensures their earnings,” he maintained.
SDPI Executive Director Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Managing Director Star Times Communication Network Technology China George Gu, Ambassador Shafqat Kakakhel, Founder of Tabadla Lab Mosharraf Zaidi, Former Board of Investment chairman Haroon Sharif and a number of others experts also spoke on the occasion.
Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1520276/documentation-of-economy-is-the-biggest-challenge-minister