ISLAMABAD: Speakers at a seminar on Tuesday focused on a grand national dialogue with emphasis on tackling extremism and diverting more funding towards health and education.

Organised by the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) and chaired by former foreign secretary Inamul Haq, the seminar titled ‘Grand National Dialogue’ brought together a diverse group of speakers, policymakers and academicians to deliberate on 11 critical national topics.

The 11 topics covered governance, national identity, foreign policy, economic security, extremism, population control, food security, water security, education, health, energy and climate change.

The seminar opened with a summary of the dialogue’s findings, followed by two working sessions where dialogue partners such as Lums, ISSI, Comsats University and the Pakistan Council for Research on Water Resources (PCRWR) presented key insights and recommendations.

Among the proposals were reforms to counter extremism, the establishment of a Pakistan Revenue Board, and increasing health and education budgets to meet UN and WHO standards of 5pc of GDP.

Energy experts from Lums highlighted that shifting just 5pc of peak power demand to off-peak hours could save $348 million annually, while revised business hours for markets could save an additional $36 million.

On governance, the dialogue recommended proportional representation to enhance inclusivity, empowering local governments, and equitable allocation of public resources through provincial NFCs.

Economic reforms emphasised export-led productivity, tax restructuring, and fostering a more investment-friendly environment by reducing bureaucratic hurdles.

The event underscored the pressing need for water security, climate action, and measures to combat militancy and de-weaponisation.

On energy, indigenisation of fuel, privatisation of power entities, and improvements in transmission systems were identified as critical steps forward.

The Grand National Dialogue initiative was an effort to address Pakistan’s human security and governance challenges comprehensively. It reflected the collective wisdom of stakeholders, ranging from retired civil and military officials to young students and policy experts.

The book, launched during the seminar, served as a repository of actionable insights aimed at guiding policymakers and fostering informed public discourse. The event concluded with hopes that the recommendations would pave the way for a new charter of governance and economic reform in Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, December 5th, 2024