Let's Talk Development Consortium for Development Policy Research

In 1972, at the time of its formation Bangladesh had to start from virtually ground zero, with little to no resources and labour power at its disposal. However, it has now overtaken Pakistan’s growth levels on several indicators. Dr. Sadiq Ahmed and Dr. Ijaz Nabi talk about the development journey of Bangladesh and how it has come to become a success story by highlighting the big turning points and what lessons can Pakistan takeaway from it.

Encouraging farmers to use fertilizers in a sustainable manner is integral for preserving food security. Mr. Atif Mohammed Ali and Ms. Amina Bajwa talk about how the fertilizer industry can transition towards a more sustainable model without the support of government subsidies. They discuss how to boost the productivity of small farmers in Pakistan and how to enhance research and development within Engro fertilizers.

The leading models for development and how it progresses in a country differ greatly because of a country’s resources and the societal differences. Dr. Stefan Dercon and Dr. Ali Hasanain talk about the big picture in terms of the world economy, global development and growth. They dive deep into the discussion of global development in the context of developing countries, elite bargains and choosing the right state objectives.

The growing tension between Afghanistan and Pakistan in light of the latest events of the expulsion of Afghan refugees from Pakistan has become of imminent concern to the country. Dr. Rasul Bakhsh Rais and Asad Rahim Khan talk about the importance of protecting the rights of Afghan refugees in the country who have been residing here for several years and explore the causes behind the changes in policies regarding these refugees.

Despite contributing to only about 0.9% of the global greenhouse gas emissions, Pakistan remains high amongst the list of countries that are most vulnerable to climate change. Dr. Faraz Hayat, Tim Dobermann and Dr. Sugandha Srivastav discuss climate change in Pakistan in light of the ongoing COP28 negotiations where they examine the pace of progress towards reducing emissions globally. Focusing on the growing financing needs for undertaking mitigative and adaptative activities aimed at combatting climate change in Pakistan, they explore the various climate financing options available to the country which can help navigate the climate crisis.

Pakistan’s major priority regarding its foreign policy over the years has been to increase Pakistan’s engagement in the region in a way that makes the region more cohesive and more economically integrated. With Pakistan’s geographical location posing a challenge, navigating through its foreign policy has always been a major concern for successive governments. In this podcast, Ms. Hina Rabbani Khar and Dr. Madiha Afzal talk about Pakistan’s current foreign policy approach, it’s major priorities and challenges and how it has evolved over the years.