Pakistan

The IGC Programme in Pakistan was initiated in 2010 with the aim of improving the capacity to generate world-class policy-oriented research on reform issues critical to sustained economic growth. Housed in the country’s leading academic institution, the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), it is guided by a team consisting of Dr. Ijaz Nabi (Country Director), Dr. Naved Hamid (Resident Director), Dr. Ali Cheema (Lead Academic), and Dr. Asim Khwaja (Lead Academic).

The programme currently focuses on five inter-related policy areas for growth – macroeconomic management, state capabilities, firm capabilities, urbanisation, and energy. Key programme deliverables include: policy-oriented research publications; rapid responses to meet the immediate need of policymakers; and collaborative dialogues with key stakeholders – all aimed at cultivating ownership to sustain momentum of critical policy reforms.

Since its inception, IGC Pakistan has supported the Federal Government on several policy issues. It is now not only engaged with the provincial governments of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces on medium-term economic planning, but has also formed new partnerships with the private sector. At the same time, the programme also continues to link policymakers and local academics with international researchers from highly reputable international universities like Harvard, Princeton, Columbia, Oxford, and London School of Economics, as well as leading local universities.

Our Pakistan Country Strategy Note is available here (updated January 2021).