Institute of Development Economics

First Golden Jubilee Celebration of the PIDE Pakistan Institute of Development Economics celebrated its first golden jubilee today at marriot hotel . There were two sessions in which the distinguished speakers included farmer Directors of PIDE and Scholars from various fields participated. Eng Dr Akram Shaikh Chancllor of PIDE and Dupty Chairman Planning commission chaired the session. Speaking on the occasion Dr Akram Shaikh Chancellor of PIDE congrudulate dthe PIDE;S staff for celebrating for its 50 years. He acknowledge the research contribution of pide and assured the full support of planning commissions and government of Pakistan to PIDE. He however that there is communication gap between the policymakers and researchers. He said that this gap should be filled.

Prof. S. M. Naseem former Director PIDE presented the brief history of PIDE. He congradulate Dpide staff for completing fifty years of excelance research. Dr. A. R. Kemal Naseem former Director PIDE in his presentation spoke about the PIDE research contributions. He said that research findings of 1970s and 1980s at pide suggest that the growth tariff and subsidies should not be given, but none of the government bodies used findings of that time in policy formulation. He further stated that in PIDE research is conducted on broad macroeconomic issues such as structural adjustment impacts, poverty, trade and finance. PIDE has made analytical and theoretical contributions in these areas. Dr Akmal Hussain highlighted impotence of organization and stabilization the universities as organizations and institutions. He said that the first challenge is autonomy of the university. He emphasised the importance of social order which combine economy, university, politics and law.New horizon of demand this kind of research agenda. UNDP representative MS Tanaka also paid tribute to PIDE for her economic and social research contributions in public policy formulation. She also said that UNDP and Government of Pakistan are close partner in training, monitoring and public policy research.

Mr. , former Finance and Foreign Minister also paid tribute to PIDE. He pointed out that planning commission and PIDE have been working very closely since 1960s. He said that during his tenure as Chairman of Agriculture Commission, PIDE and Agricultural Commission collaborated on Agriculture, water, and other resources related to Agriculture in research. He also acknowledged PIDE’s contribution in economic and other social disciplines. Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, Governor SBP chaired the Session. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Shamshad Akhtar said that significantly benefited from the PIDE’s research in formulation of challenges of monetary policy. We use PIDE’s material in our thinking process. She also thanked for identifying some technical issues regarding the recent monetary policy statement. She also suggested the interaction between PIDE and SBP staff for sharing information regarding the monetary policy formulation and other related challenges to the economy. Dr. Sarfraz Quarshi, former Director PIDE, acknowledged the PIDE’s contribution in economic and social research. The country Director of World Bank congratulated PIDE at its 50 years celebration. He said that PIDE produced a high quality research and we have benefited for this research at the time of launching any new project. He further said that World Bank and PIDE has close relation in conducting research on social issues and I hope that it will continue in future.

Dr. Nadeem Ul Haque said that research in Pakistan is conducted in a very difficult manner and the researchers are not properly paid for that particular research. Secondly, observed that we do not have our own agenda..

Dr. Rashid Amjad, Vice Chancellor PIDE, thinked all the speakers and said that ideas and suggestions presented by the speakers are extremely useful for us in planning future research agenda. These issues help us to make national agenda for future research. He also said that we will take care of all points of senior experts in making future agenda.