EVERY policy is formulated to achieve a certain goal. As such, it is necessary to gauge a policy’s impact and effectiveness post-implementation. There is a need to evaluate its outcomes that how far the government has succeeded in achieving the objectives for which that policy was formulated. Every evaluation study provides basis for the future policies.

However, in Pakistan, there is no trend of conducting evaluation studies. Policies are often made haphazardly and then implemented selectively. After imple- mentation, they are left on their own. This attitude results in the formulation of divergent policies, with the outcome generated by previous policies often getting cancelled by subsequent ones. Rather than addressing the problems, such interventions create new ones.

For example, subsequent governments have doled out billions for the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), but there is no way of knowing with any degree of certainty and credibility of its outcome. Moreover, health cards were introduced for providing healthcare insurance to the people. But, again, the policy was ended abruptly without any evaluation study worth its name.

Similarly, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) increased the interest rate to 22 per cent. However, the fiscal policy remained expansionist because the government did not cut its expenditure, and that cancelled the effect of higher policy rate.

The government should engage experts for proper evaluation of policies, and make calculated decisions in order to set the country on the road to prosperity.

Muhammad Mohtasim
Mandi Bahauddin

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2024