Pakistan Institute of Development Economics-PIDE

26/09/2026

A Smarter Way to Keep Islamabad Clean

How can technology transform waste management in Pakistan’s capital?

In her latest OpEd, “A smarter way to keep Islamabad clean,” Dr Shamaila Zareen highlights how smart technologies such as AI-based monitoring, GPS tracking, route optimisation, sensor-equipped bins, and data-driven planning can help Islamabad move towards a cleaner and more sustainable future.

She argues that a modern capital requires more than traditional waste collection — it needs intelligent systems, public participation, behavioural incentives, and stronger institutional coordination.

A clean Islamabad is not just about better-looking streets; it is about reducing climate risks, improving public health, and building a city prepared for the future.

Read more: https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2026/09/25/a-smarter-way-to-keep-islamabad-clean

Nadeem Javaid, PhD Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives Nasir Iqbal Faheem Jehangir Khan, PhD Fizzah Khalid Butt

Pakistan being the fifth most populous country generates an estimated 46 million tons of solid waste annually.

25/09/2026

𝗣𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 | From Ideas to Research and Policy Impact

𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗼𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀.

PIDE hosted a one-day panel discussions for PhD and MPhil thesis scholars, bringing together economists, policymakers, researchers, and institutional leaders to explore how research can respond to Pakistan’s development priorities.

The conversations explored 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵, 𝘁𝗮𝘅𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀.

For young researchers, the message was clear: focus on 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁, identifying emerging research agendas, strengthening interdisciplinary research, and building stronger connections between researchers, government, and industry.

The discussion also aimed to help emerging researchers identify relevant research topics, understand current policy gaps, communicate findings effectively, and build stronger links with policymakers and institutional leaders.

𝗔 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀. 𝗔 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲. 𝗔 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁.

Nadeem Javaid, Ahsan Iqbal, Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Karim Khan, Shujaat Farooq, Fizzah Khalid Butt, IBA Karachi, PRIME INSTITUTE,

25/09/2026

133.3 million Pakistani adults remain unbanked or financially excluded — nearly two-thirds of the adult population.

In her latest op-ed, Dr. Irem Batool, Chief of Research at PIDE's Macro Policy Lab, highlights a stark reality: Only 27% have a formal financial account. And even among those who do, most use it just to store or save money — not to borrow, invest, or manage risk.

Financial access isn't the same as financial empowerment.

Digital payments make up just 1% of accounts here, vs. 36% in peer economies. With 23% of unbanked Pakistanis already owning smartphones, the opportunity is sitting right there.

The fix isn't more accounts — it's trust, digital literacy, low-cost access, and real income opportunities behind them.

Read more: https://www.brecorder.com/news/40441093/millions-remain-outside-the-financial-system-pakistan-cannot-afford-it

Nadeem Javaid, PhD Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives Nasir Iqbal Faheem Jehangir Khan, PhD Fizzah Khalid Butt

Pakistan is confronting a difficult economic situation. Years of inflationary shocks, macroeconomic instability,...

24/09/2026

𝗣𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳 | 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗿𝘂𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀?

PIDE’s latest Knowledge Brief by 𝗘𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗤𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗲𝗿, Research Economist at PIDE, examines students’ experiences with remote learning and highlights the role of digital infrastructure, home environments, student engagement, and regional access in shaping academic performance.

The study highlights practical steps to strengthen online and blended learning, including technical support, hybrid learning models, better use of university facilities, and modernising curricula and assessment systems.

𝗕𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀. 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀. 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

Read More: https://pide.org.pk/research/distance-learning-and-academic-performance-evidence-from-a-qualitative-study/

Nadeem Javaid, Ahsan Iqbal, Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Higher Education Commission, Pakistan, Shujaat Farooq, Karim Khan, Fizzah Khalid

23/09/2026

𝗣𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁 | 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻: 𝗔 𝗖𝗣𝗘𝗖 𝟮.𝟬 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗼𝘁-𝘁𝗼-𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘄𝗮𝘆

Agricultural drones can enhance crop monitoring, mapping, spraying, and other farm operations. Their potential can be strengthened further through better water management, quality inputs, effective extension services, climate resilience, and improved access to finance.

In PIDE’s latest Policy Viewpoint, 𝗘𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗿, Research Associate, STI Centre of Excellence for CPEC, PIDE, and 𝗗𝗿. 𝗨𝘇𝗮𝗶𝗿 𝗞𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗾 𝘂𝘇 𝗭𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗻, Head of Policy, STI Centre of Excellence for CPEC, PIDE, present a pathway for the responsible adoption and scaling of agricultural drones in Pakistan.

Read More: https://pide.org.pk/research/responsible-and-scalable-agricultural-drone-adoption-in-pakistan-a-cpec-2-0-pilot-to-scale-pathway/

Nadeem Javaid, Ahsan Iqbal, Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Centre of Excellence for CPEC, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor - CPEC.gov.pk, Shujaat Farooq, Karim Khan, Fizzah Khalid Butt

22/09/2026

𝗣𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗦𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 | 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲

Trade barriers are not always visible. Delays, paperwork, fragmented systems, and regulatory bottlenecks also add to the cost of doing business.

PIDE hosted a seminar on “𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲: 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻,” featuring 𝗠𝗿. 𝗦𝘆𝗲𝗱 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗮𝗯 𝗛𝗮𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿, CEO, PSW-Pakistan Single Window. The discussion focused on how digital infrastructure can reduce these hidden costs and make cross-border trade more predictable.

Moderated by 𝗗𝗿. 𝗨𝘇𝗺𝗮 𝗭𝗶𝗮, Senior Research Economist, PIDE, the conversation also looked ahead to 𝗔𝗜-𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝘀, 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗼𝗿𝘀. However, technology alone is not enough. The next step is institutional transformation and stronger coordination across agencies.

For Pakistan to become a stronger regional trade hub, the focus must extend beyond roads and ports to 𝗰𝗼𝘀𝘁, 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲, 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗱𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀.

Nadeem Javaid, Ahsan Iqbal, Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of Pakistan, Government of Pakistan, Shujaat Farooq, Fizzah Khalid Butt, ,

21/09/2026

𝗣𝗜𝗗𝗘 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 | 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀: 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗸𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

Pakistan's growth story needs more than exports — it needs a seat in global value chains. Join us as our experts unpack how FDI can reposition Pakistan in regional and global markets.

𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀:
- Dr. Ahmed Jamal Pirzada — Associate Professor, University of Bristol; Member, EAG
- Dr. Sardar Mohazzam — Former Managing Director, National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (NEECA)
- Mr. Sayaf Arbab — Chief Operating Officer, ScaleX

𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿:
- Dr. Uzma Zia — Senior Research Economist, PIDE

𝗠𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿:
- Dr. Vaqar Ahmed — Member, Economic Advisory Group (EAG)

Wednesday, September 23, 2026
3:00 – 4:30 PM

Online — Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82518331615?pwd=uqap3kXH4p8EywhEGosvx6eqrLfdbO.1
ID: 825 1833 1615 | Code: 988095

Nadeem Javaid, Ahsan Iqbal, Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Shujaat Farooq Sohal, Karim Khan, Fizzah Khalid Butt, ,

21/09/2026

Can CPEC help Pakistan turn the CBAM challenge into an export opportunity?

In her latest article, Sapna V. Khemani, Research Associate at the Centre of Excellence – CPEC, argues that the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is more than a compliance challenge for Pakistan — it could become a catalyst for cleaner production and stronger export competitiveness.

She highlights how CPEC 2.0 could help Pakistan move beyond importing clean technologies and develop domestic capabilities in renewable energy, batteries, energy-efficient machinery, carbon monitoring and low-carbon manufacturing.

The opportunity is clear: turn carbon pressure into industrial capability.

Read more: https://www.dawn.com/news/2031530/leveraging-cpec-for-cbam

Cooperation can drive the development of renewable-energy equipment, digital monitoring technologies and carbon-accounting

16/09/2026

𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞, 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬: 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧

Pakistan has significantly increased social protection spending in recent years, yet poverty has also risen compared to FY2018-19. PIDE Knowledge Brief by Amna Riaz examines why increased spending has not translated into sustained poverty reduction.

While cash transfers remain essential for protecting vulnerable households from economic shocks, Pakistan’s social protection system remains largely focused on consumption smoothing rather than creating pathways out of poverty.

The brief calls for Cash Plus and Graduation-oriented strategies that connect income support with skills, livelihoods, public services, and labour market opportunities to enable sustainable poverty reduction.

Read More: https://pide.org.pk/research/spending-more-transforming-less-rethinking-social-protection-spending-and-poverty-in-pakistan/

Nadeem Javaid, Ahsan Iqbal, Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Finance, Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training Pakistan

15/09/2026

🌍 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
Abstract submission (optional): 𝟯𝟬 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
Full paper due: 𝟯𝟬 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
Review completed: 𝟭 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳
Revisions due: 𝟯𝟬 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳
Issue publication: 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 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.

Nadeem Javaid, Ahsan Iqbal, Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Shujaat Farooq, Karim Khan, Fizzah Khalid Butt, ,