About the Speaker:

Dr Ul Haque holds a Ph. D from the University of Chicago, and is responsible for developing and delivering IMF training program all over Asia. In the past he has held the positions of Vice Chancellor/Director, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, Senior Resident Representative of the IMF in Egypt, Senior Resident Representative of the IMF in Sri Lanka as well as positions in IMF Research and Monetary and Exchange Affairs departments at the IMF institute. He has published 5 books and over 70 papers in major journals and edited volumes.

Abstract:

To understand why Pakistan has failed as a state while fundamentalism has risen, we need to delve deeper into the political economy. To begin with, note that dictates of nation-building as well as economic development have led to a strong centralization of government in a large, diverse country based on federating nations. This led to state interventions in education that sought to unify the country through religion and language at the cost of productivity enhancing skills. What is often not noticed is that centralization of policy and funding has made capture by vested interests easier. These policies have gone unchallenged. There is little internal capacity for developing policy; nor are there policy debates in Pakistan. As a result policy retains a short term focus and has no domestic ownership while constituencies for change have not developed.

Pakistan has a very young population. Neither the education system nor their environment offers them any modernity. Policy continues to fund brick and mortar development and subsidize and protect the usual sectors. An unintended consequence of this policy has been the suppression of domestic commerce, limiting urban and market development and hence opportunities for youth and the poor. Lack of urban development based on domestic commerce limits economic opportunities especially for the young. Lack of any serious policy ideas and debates leaves them with only one vision that of the fundamentalist.

Policy and donor funding must deepen such political-economy analyses before making further interventions. The assumption on which such funding is based-that the state is a partner in development-- is clearly wrong. Organs of the state -the civil service and the army-- have now developed a strong system for capturing donor funds for reinforcing rent seeking and resisting reform. These organizations are now more interested in the distribution of funds received than in pursuing their core functions.Policy and donor funding must deepen such political-economy analyses before making further interventions. The assumption on which such funding is based-that the state is a partner in development-- is clearly wrong. Organs of the state -the civil service and the army-- have now developed a strong system for capturing donor funds for reinforcing rent seeking and resisting reform. These organizations are now more interested in the distribution of funds received than in pursuing their core functions.

Reservation:

Admission is free.  Please reply to Christina, e-mail: achristina@ntu.edu.sg or Tel: 6790-5689 to confirm your attendance.