Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE)

𝗣𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 | 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗗𝘆𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀! Today, @PIDEpk launched the PIDE-ZLK PSX Seed-to-Success Award Ceremony, awarding three top MPhil Eco&Fin scholars PKR 50,000 each in seed capital to trade live on Pakistan Stock Exchange (@pakstockexgltd), sponsored by ZLK Securities (@zlksecurities). Alongside the awards, the PIDE School of Economics hosted an insightful workshop on "Understanding the Trading Mechanism of Pakistan’s Stock Market" led by Dr. Farhat Mahmood (@DrFarhatMahmoo1). We are proud to continue empowering scholars with hands-on exposure, financial literacy, and real-world capital market experience. @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan #PIDE #CapitalMarkets #PSX #FinancialLiteracy #Investment #PIDEWorkshop #ZLKSecurities #ZLKIslamic

𝗣𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 | 𝗨𝗽𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻’𝘀 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝘅𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘃𝗶𝗮 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗮–𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 Pakistan’s sports industry has the potential to reach new heights through technology, innovation, and stronger China–Pakistan cooperation. PIDE's latest policy viewpoint by Fareed Kakar proposes a 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗸 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗣𝗘𝗖 𝟮.𝟬 to modernise production, strengthen local manufacturing, and expand access to international markets. With the right investment and reforms, Pakistan could aim to grow sports goods exports to $𝟭.𝟮 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟯𝟬. Read Complete Policy Viewpoint: pide.org.pk/research/upgrada… @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan #PIDE #PolicyViewpoint #PakistanExports #SportsIndustry #CPEC

𝗣𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 | 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲, 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶 How can Karachi balance water affordability, revenue generation, and sustainable water management? Join @PIDEpk for an insightful seminar exploring water pricing challenges and potential reforms in Karachi. 🎙 Speaker: 𝗗𝗿. 𝗛𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗮𝗻 𝗙𝘂𝗿𝗾𝗮𝗻 𝗞𝗵𝗮𝗻, Assistant Professor, Urban and Environmental Policy, @TuftsUniversity 🎤 Moderator: 𝗗𝗿. 𝗜𝗻𝗮𝘆𝗮𝘁 𝗨𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗵, Chief of Research/Director, CACCRE, PIDE 📅 Thursday, October 29, 2026 🕑 02:00 PM (PKT) 📍 A. R. Kemal Hall, PIDE 💻 Join via Zoom Link: us06web.zoom.us/j/8251833161… Meeting ID: 825 1833 1615 Passcode: 988095 Be part of the discussion on making water pricing more equitable, financially sustainable, and responsive to Karachi’s needs. @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan #PIDE #PIDESeminar #WaterPricing #Karachi #WaterManagement #UrbanPolicy #PolicyReform

𝗣𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 | 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 & 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗧𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 @PIDEpk hosted a seminar examining how gender equality and social inclusion are represented in the textbooks of Grades 7 to 10 across Pakistan’s educational boards. 𝗠𝘀. 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗯𝗮𝗵 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗵𝗶𝗱 (@AreebahSh), Executive Director, Pakistan Youth Change Advocates (@PYCAPk), presented a board-by-board analysis, highlighting the importance of inclusive representation in shaping young minds and informing education reform. The session was moderated by 𝗗𝗿. 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗮 𝗨𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗷, Associate Professor at PIDE, followed by an engaging discussion on the role of school curricula in promoting gender equality and social inclusion. @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan #PIDE #PIDESeminar #GenderEquality #SocialInclusion #EducationReform #PakistanEducation

𝗣𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 | 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝘀𝗶𝗱𝘆 𝗩𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱? In PIDE's latest Policy Viewpoint, 𝗠𝗼𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗱 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗮𝗳 𝗡𝗮𝗷𝗶𝗯 (@MShaafNajib14), Research Economist, and 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗮𝗯, Staff Economist, examine the proposed electricity subsidy verification mechanism and highlight how independent online registration could exclude vulnerable households from the support they need. The study finds that 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗲-𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. The authors recommend a more inclusive approach: linking electricity consumer records with existing household-level welfare data and updating these records periodically. This can help improve beneficiary identification while reducing both inclusion and exclusion errors. Read the complete PIDE Policy Viewpoint: pide.org.pk/research/evaluat… @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan #PIDE #PolicyView #ElectricitySubsidies #EnergyPolicy #SocialProtection #PakistanEconomy #EvidenceBasedPolicy

𝗣𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 | 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀: 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀, 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗿𝘂𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻 How are global maritime trends and supply chain disruptions shaping international trade, and what do they mean for Pakistan’s trade competitiveness and economic future? 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗿: Jan Hoffmann (@JanHoffmann_gva) Global Lead, Maritime Transport and Ports, @WorldBankGroup 𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿: Dr. Saba Anwar (@SabaAnwar202) Senior Research Economist, PIDE 📅 Wednesday, October 28, 2026 🕖 07:00 PM (PKT) 💻 Mode: Online 🔴 Join Live on Zoom: us06web.zoom.us/j/8251833161… Meeting ID: 825 1833 1615 Passcode: 988095 Join us for a timely discussion on maritime connectivity, global trade, and the way forward for Pakistan. @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan, @WBG_Pakistan #PIDE #PIDEWebinar #MaritimeTransport #GlobalSupplyChains #InternationalTrade #PakistanEconomy #WorldBank

𝗣𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳 | 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗛𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗳: 𝗨𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 Pakistan’s export containers spend an average of 6.5 days at ports before loading, placing the country 9th among 10 regional peers on this measure. 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗮𝗱𝗱 𝗨𝗦$𝟲𝟮𝟰 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻’𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀. PIDE's recent Knowledge Brief by, 𝗗𝗿. 𝗔𝗺𝗷𝗮𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝗼𝗼𝗱, Chief of Research at PIDE, and 𝗔𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝗭𝘂𝗯𝗮𝗶𝗿, Research Economist at PIDE, examine how delays, discretionary checks, and overlapping documentation requirements constrain export performance. 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹. 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳: pide.org.pk/research/the-hid… @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan #PIDE #KnowledgeBrief #PakistanExports #TradeFacilitation #ExportGrowth #PakistanEconomy

📚 𝗣𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀’ 𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 | 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 PIDE recently hosted three research presentations exploring Pakistan’s energy challenges, educational outcomes, and multidimensional energy deprivation. The presentations brought important research questions into focus, highlighting the role of evidence-based analysis in understanding Pakistan’s energy infrastructure, access to education, and development challenges. Through its Scholars’ Seminar Series, PIDE continues to provide a platform for research exchange, critical discussion, and policy-relevant insights. @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan #PIDE #PIDEScholarsSeminar #ResearchAndDevelopment #EnergyPolicy #Education #EvidenceBasedPolicy #Pakistan

𝗣𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 | 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗲? 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻’𝘀 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 Why do good policies struggle at the implementation stage? PIDE recently hosted an insightful seminar featuring Dr. Humayoun Akram, University of Delaware @UDelaware, USA, with Dr. Inayat Ullah, Chief of Research / Director CACCRE, PIDE, as moderator. The discussion explored the challenges of policy implementation, governance, and state capacity, with a focus on Pakistan’s water and energy sectors. The session offered an opportunity to reflect on how stronger institutions and effective implementation can help translate policy into meaningful outcomes. @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan #PIDE #PIDESeminars #PolicyImplementation #WaterPolicy #EnergyPolicy #Governance #PublicPolicy #Pakistan

𝗣𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 | 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗿𝘂𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝘅: 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Corruption doesn’t just cost money. It costs innovation, productivity, and economic growth. In her latest Policy Viewpoint, “𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗿𝘂𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝘅: 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻,” Dr. Madiha Riaz (@DrMadeehaRiaz) examines how corruption increases business costs and uncertainty, discourages research and development, and limits innovation in Pakistan. The Policy Viewpoint proposes four reforms: digitizing firm-government interactions, reducing disproportionate compliance costs for SMEs, protecting crisis support and subsidies, and strengthening the evidence base for innovation policy. 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻’𝘀 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵? Read Policy Viewpoint: pide.org.pk/research/the-cor… @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan #PIDE #PolicyViewpoint #EconomicGrowth #Governance #Innovation #PakistanEconomy

𝗣𝗜𝗗𝗘’𝘀 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 PIDE recommends to 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝟭𝟭.𝟱 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟲 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗣𝗖 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗵𝗮𝘄𝗸𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗯𝗶𝗮𝘀. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱?   • Headline inflation eased to 𝟭𝟬.𝟮𝟲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁, and core inflation moderated.   • Food, energy and utility costs remain important sources of pressure that rate hikes cannot directly reverse.   • Recovery remains uneven: Q4 growth slowed to 𝟮.𝟬 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁, while cumulative private-credit flows are negative despite positive annual credit growth.   • PIDE projects inflation easing to 𝟴–𝟵 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁, leaving the policy rate 𝟮.𝟱–𝟯.𝟱 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲.   • SBP Reserves of about 𝗨𝗦$𝟮𝟭.𝟱 𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 and a stable rupee provide room to hold. Further tightening would raise borrowing and debt-servicing costs without a clearly established additional benefit. Easing is also premature. Reassess if inflation persists, expectations worsen or external pressures intensify. Read the assessment: pide.org.pk/research/october… @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan, @StateBank_Pak #PIDE #MonetaryPolicy #PakistanEconomy #SBP #Inflation

PIDE Seminar | Opportunities of AI and Challenges of AI Governance Artificial intelligence is creating new opportunities while raising important questions about accountability, transparency, and responsible use. PIDE recently hosted a seminar featuring Asad Baig (@asadbeyg), Executive Director and Founder of Media Matters for Democracy (@mmfd_Pak). The session was moderated by Dr. Fizzah Khalid Butt (@Fizzscreams), Assistant Professor and Director Media, PIDE. The discussion highlighted the importance of addressing AI governance challenges alongside the opportunities offered by emerging technologies. Watch the full seminar: youtube.com/watch?v=gT0vsk6q… @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan, @PlanComPakistan, @FaheemJehangir #PIDE #AIGovernance #ArtificialIntelligence #DigitalPolicy #ResponsibleAI

𝗣𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 | 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻'𝘀 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 Can better freight pricing help protect Pakistan’s roads? Truck overloading accelerates road damage, increases public maintenance costs, and creates serious road safety risks. In their Policy Viewpoint, “𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻’𝘀 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀", 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗿 𝗔𝗯𝗱𝘂𝗹 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗮𝗯 and 𝗗𝗿. 𝗦𝗮𝗯𝗮 𝗔𝗻𝘄𝗮𝗿 propose a National Weight-Based Freight Tariff Regulation to align freight payments with legally permitted vehicle loads. Read the Policy Viewpoint: pide.org.pk/research/curbing… @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan #PIDE #PolicyViewpoint #RoadSafety #FreightTransport #PakistanEconomy

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀 | 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 The Pakistan Development Review (PDR) invites researchers, academics, and policy experts to contribute to its special issue on: “𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲, 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲, 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 & 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮” South Asia faces some of the world’s most severe climate challenges—from floods, heatwaves, glacier melt, and monsoon variability to water stress, food insecurity, and climate-induced migration. This special issue seeks rigorous, policy-relevant research that can transform regional experience into evidence for better decision-making. 📌 𝗞𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲: -Climate finance and adaptation -Climate resilience and economic growth -Climate justice and development priorities -Transboundary rivers and water governance -Food security and climate migration -Institutional reforms for climate governance 🗓️ 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 Full paper due: 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟯𝟬, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 Review completed: 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟯𝟬, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 Revisions due: 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟯𝟬, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 Issue publication: 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳 📝 Manuscript length: 𝟰,𝟬𝟬𝟬–𝟲,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 🏆 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 PKR 𝟭𝟬𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬, 𝟳𝟱,𝟬𝟬𝟬, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟱𝟬,𝟬𝟬𝟬 for the three best papers. 📩For any queries and submissions, contact 𝗗𝗿. 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗵𝗮 𝗥𝗶𝗮𝘇 ([email protected]) 𝗗𝗿. 𝗠𝘂𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗱 𝗜𝗺𝗿𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗵𝗿𝘆 [email protected] Join scholars from across South Asia in developing evidence-based solutions for a climate-resilient and equitable future. @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan #PIDE #PDR #CallForPapers #ClimateChange #ClimateJustice #ClimateFinance #SouthAsia #ClimatePolicy #SustainableDevelopment #PakistanDevelopmentReview

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀 | 𝗣𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 Theme: “𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗿𝗮𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗽? 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗔𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘀, 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻” The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) invites researchers, academics, policymakers, and practitioners to contribute to the upcoming issue of PIDE Discourse. The issue seeks evidence-based contributions on provincial restructuring, the creation of new provinces, governance and service delivery, fiscal federalism, local governance, constitutional and legal pathways, identity and representation, bureaucratic capacity, and lessons from international experiences. 𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: 𝟯𝟬 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 Submit your article through the following link: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F… For queries: [email protected] Researchers and practitioners working on these themes are encouraged to contribute their insights to this important policy debate. @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan #PIDE #Pakistan #Discourse #Research #Ideas #Governance

𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗜 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Pakistan’s GDP growth rose to 3.65% in FY2025–26, up from 3.11% the previous year, supported by improved performance in agriculture and services. However, growth slowed sharply to 2.00% in Q4 from 4.42% in Q3, reflecting a significant decline in industrial activity. 𝗨𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 Agriculture grew by 3.71% in Q4, while services expanded by 3.62%, supported by information and communication. In contrast, industrial growth contracted by 4.70%, driven by a sharp decline in electricity, gas, and water supply, along with slower manufacturing activity. Large-scale manufacturing grew by only 0.41%, while wholesale and retail trade expanded by 0.75%. 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 Weak industrial momentum, high energy costs, and geopolitical tensions pose risks to production, trade, and export competitiveness. Energy supply disruptions and rising freight costs could further increase pressure on businesses. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 Growth momentum has steadily improved, but the Q4 slowdown highlights an uneven recovery. Sustaining growth will require reliable and competitively priced energy, lower trade and logistics costs, stronger industrial competitiveness, and continued support for agricultural and services sector growth. @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan, @StateBank_Pak #PIDE #EconomicGrowth #GrowthMonitor #Pakistan

𝗣𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 | “𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘀 𝟳 𝘁𝗼 𝟭𝟬: 𝗔 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱-𝗯𝘆-𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝗶𝘀” How do school textbooks shape young minds? Join the PIDE seminar, examining how gender and social inclusion are represented in Pakistan’s school curricula. 🎙 Speaker: 𝗠𝘀. 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗯𝗮𝗵 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗵𝗶𝗱 (@AreebahSh), Executive Director, Pakistan Youth Change Advocates (PYCA) 🎤 Moderator: 𝗗𝗿. 𝗔𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗮 𝗨𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗷, Associate Professor, PIDE 📅 Wednesday, October 21, 2026 🕑 02:00 PM (PKT) 📍 A. R. Kemal Hall, PIDE 𝗭𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲 Meeting ID: 825 1833 1615 Passcode: 988095 us06web.zoom.us/j/8251833161… 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲: Facebook.com/PIDEIslamabad @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan #PIDE #PIDESeminar #GenderEquality #SocialInclusion #EducationReform #PakistanEducation

Making 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 $𝟭𝟬𝟬 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 a reality demands bold reforms, fresh thinking, and a shift in how we approach Pakistan’s economic challenges. From keynote lectures and high-level policy discussions to panel debates, technical sessions, research presentations, poster competitions and much more, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟯𝟵𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗦𝗗𝗘 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 & 𝗔𝗚𝗠 brought ideas together around one national ambition. 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 $𝟭𝟬𝟬 𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁-𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆. At this two-day engaging and thought provoking event, critical questions took centre stage that sparked dialogue on policy changes, and solutions were suggested to move Pakistan forward. Watch the key moments, conversations, and activities that shaped two days of research, ideas and dialogue on Pakistan’s economic future. psde.pide.org.pk/ @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan, @IhsaanaKhan, @PlanComPakistan, @FaheemJehangir, @hecpkofficial, @QAU_Official, @CPECOfficials, @giz_gmbh, @coecpec, @PakistanADB, @RASTA_PIDE #Mission100Billion #PIDEConference #PSDEConference #39thPSDE2026 #39thPSDEConference2026 #39thPSDEIslamabad

𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 | 𝟯𝟵𝘁𝗵 𝗣𝗦𝗗𝗘 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 & 𝗔𝗚𝗠 Pakistan’s journey towards sustainable, export-led prosperity took centre stage at the 𝟑𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐒𝐃𝐄 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 & 𝐀𝐆𝐌, where experts, policymakers, and industry leaders discussed key opportunities and reforms to strengthen the country’s export potential. The three panel discussions explored: 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐂 & 𝐂𝐏𝐄𝐂 𝐚𝐬 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 — Examined regional connectivity, trade partnerships, and investment opportunities. 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞, 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 — Highlighted the importance of productive workplaces and a skilled workforce in enhancing export competitiveness. 𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞-𝐎𝐟𝐟 — Explored policy reforms to reduce trade barriers, facilitate businesses, and unlock Pakistan’s export potential. The discussions emphasised practical pathways towards stronger regional integration, improved competitiveness, and sustainable export-led economic growth. @nadeemjavaid75, @betterpakistan, @PSDE_PIDE, @FaheemJehangir, @saddameconomist, @Fizzscreams #PSDE2026 #PIDE #PSDEConference #PakistanExports #TradeAndInvestment #ExportLedGrowth #EconomicDevelopment