The 38th Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Pakistan Society of Development Economists (PSDE) has come to a close, leaving a lasting impression on participants and attendees. The event, which wrapped up three days of engaging discussions and presentations, shed light on the pivotal role of digital transformation in shaping Pakistan’s future.
“The digital revolution is not a destination, it’s a continuous process,” said Prof. Yuan Li of Shandong University, emphasizing the need for innovation and knowledge exchange in Pakistan.
The conference, hosted by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) and organized with the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives (MoPD&SI), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), Research for Social Transformation and Advancement (RASTA), CPEC Centre of Excellence, and the Bank of Punjab, brought together a diverse range of scholars, policymakers, economists, and development professionals from across Pakistan and the international community.
- Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, delivered a keynote address on “Smart Provinces for a Smarter Pakistan.” He emphasized the importance of digitization at the grassroots level, advocating for smart schools, e-governance, and real-time data systems.
- Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, stressed the need to transform research into action, urging the conference’s recommendations to be synthesized into concrete, implementable policies.
- Chairing the session on “Digital Disruption: Economic Readiness,” Waqas Anwar (MoPD&SI) highlighted Pakistan’s lag in digital infrastructure, education, and regulatory frameworks compared to regional peers.
| Topic | Description |
| Digital Disruption: Economic Readiness | Researchers highlighted Pakistan’s lag in digital infrastructure, education, and regulatory frameworks, emphasizing the need for comprehensive reforms to boost GDP growth by 1.8% annually by 2030. |
| Trade and Commerce in the Digital Era | Experts explored digital transformation’s impact on trade facilitation, service exports, SME participation in e-commerce, and youth entrepreneurship, calling for more targeted youth training and inclusive curriculum reforms. |
The conference also featured a panel discussion on “CPEC 2.0: Digital Leap – Learning China’s Transformation,” moderated by Dr. M. Muzammil Zia. Experts emphasized the shift from infrastructure-led growth under CPEC 1.0 to innovation and knowledge exchange under CPEC 2.0, highlighting the importance of policy-driven innovation in transforming economies.
Senator Dar reiterated the urgency of revising the NFC Award and phasing out overlapping federal bodies that contradict the spirit of devolution. He ended his address with a call for collaborative action, stating, “When Pakistan takes flight, every province must lift.”
With over 100 experts participating in more than 20 sessions across three days, the 38th PSDE Conference succeeded in fostering a multidimensional conversation on Pakistan’s digital future.
Key Takeaways
- Digitization at the grassroots level is crucial for national development, with smart schools, e-governance, and real-time data systems being essential tools.
- Provinces must assume active roles in Pakistan’s socio-economic development, with innovation and knowledge exchange being key drivers of growth.
- Comprehensive reforms in digital infrastructure, education, and regulatory frameworks are necessary to bridge the gap with regional peers.
Conclusion
The 38th PSDE Conference demonstrated the importance of fostering a multidimensional conversation on Pakistan’s digital future.
