The UN development agency says Pakistan must bridge the gap between development policies and implementation while considering broader criteria for allocating resources among provinces.
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — WEB DESK: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has called for a review of Pakistan’s current system for distributing resources among provinces, saying the country should consider development performance and other indicators alongside population when allocating public funds.
The recommendation was made during a strategic dialogue titled “A Nation at a Crossroads: Pakistan’s Population and Development”, held at Pakistan’s Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, where the 50th edition of Development Advocate Pakistan was also launched.
UNDP Highlights Policy Implementation Gap
Speaking at the event, UNDP warned that Pakistan faces a significant gap between development policymaking and effective implementation at the grassroots level.
The agency said improving governance and ensuring that development policies translate into measurable outcomes are essential for achieving sustainable and inclusive growth.
UNDP also suggested that the existing provincial resource allocation framework should be reviewed so that development performance and other socioeconomic indicators are considered in addition to population.
Planning Minister’s Remarks
Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan has entered a decisive phase in its development journey.
He stressed the importance of adopting evidence-based policies and strengthening long-term planning to address the country’s demographic and economic challenges.
The dialogue brought together policymakers, development experts and government officials to discuss Pakistan’s population trends and development priorities.
