Evidence-based policymaking focus of government: Aliya

By Jamila Achakzai

Islamabad (15 July 2021): Parliamentary Secretary for Textile, Commerce, Industries & Production, Aliya Hamza Malik, has said that evidence-based policymaking has great importance for every sector of the economy, especially for correct and timely decision making. The present government is paying special attention to correcting the policies based on appropriate evince-based data and information for trade negotiations to benefit the country. She was sharing her views with the participants at a webinar and report launch on ‘The role of evidence in policymaking in Pakistan’ organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) here on Thursday. Ms Malik said the government is planning to reform economic development and various key sectors of the economy.“We are cognizant of the centrality of evidence in policymaking in Trade and Commerce and hence, consider consultations a fundamental tool for devising policies,” she said. The findings of SDPI’s report will help in a big way to the Ministry of Commerce as well as the Ministry of Textile and my fellow parliamentarians while undertaking policies in respective areas, she concluded. Former Chairman, Board of Investment, Mr Haroon Sharif, highlighted that lack of data and trust among the stakeholders are a common phenomenon in Asian countries. He explained that a policy should not be just a wish list but an outcome-based act. Therefore, we need to have a reflexive and all-comprehensive approach towards policy formulation and policy implementation. He said the strategic evidence is vital at the macro-economic level and specialized zones for bringing in investments. The current structure of the state needs to strategize research houses and eliminate less productive research mechanisms. Dr Vaqar Ahmed, Joint Executive Director, SDPI, while sharing excerpts from the report, said that policy is seen as a subject of the whole of the government. He said amidst the pandemic, Pakistan has come up with better macro-economic indicators which are good news. He said that evidence-based data is most important, and the trade regime has to work with international agreements. He said that enabling and correct use of data is important in mapping trade negotiations. Besides, evidence-based data also helps in enabling women-led and new start-up businesses and their relationship with the Ministry of Commerce. Radhika Menon, from Oxford Policy Management, opined that political investment and international donors could play a vital role in sustainable policymaking. She said evidence generation and institutionalization of data for identification of gaps for gender inequality and social protection should also be a key area of focus. Umar Nadeem, Head of Delivery Tabadlab, was of the view that imparting skills to youth always prove productive in terms of outcome informal and traditional education. Therefore, the TVET component should be much more holistic and comprehensive at the ecosystem level. Amjad Nazeer, Director Institute of Development Research and Corresponding Capabilities (IDRAC), said about 12 to 13 million children in Pakistan are engaged in child labour according to a national survey. Therefore, effective policymaking based on evidence and correct data is important to curb such prevalent practices in different sectors of the economy. Research Fellow, SPDI, Dr Fareeha Armaghan opined that a smart and evidence-based design is required to make a workable policy. Ends