ISLAMABAD: Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, has underscored the critical importance of collaborative endeavours to unleash the untapped potential of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, steering it towards a trajectory of prosperity and progress.
He said this while speaking at an event titled, “The Economy of Azad Jammu and Kashmir: Unlocking the Potential” jointly organised by the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (UAJK) in collaboration with the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE).
Dr Ahmed lauded UAJK and PIDE’s initiative in organising the conference and underscored the pivotal role of education institutions in driving economic progress. He highlighted the region’s abundant natural and human resources, stressing the imperative of harnessing these assets for the benefit of the local populace.
Addressing the gathering of academicians, senior government officials, policymakers, researchers, scholars, and students, the HEC chairman urged a reflection on historical lessons and emphasised the need for a collective endeavour to steer the region towards a brighter future. Drawing parallels with the economic trajectory of nations like Iran, he underscored the imperative of perseverance and unity in the pursuit of national development.
The seminar was told that AJK region offers great investment opportunities in mining, mineral resources, tourism, small and medium industry, hydro, adventure tourism, forestry and other sectors. The right policies with timely implementation is needed to reap the full benefits of the opportunities focusing on the well-being of the people.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Nadeemul Haque, Vice Chancellor (VC) PIDE emphasized the critical role of ideas in driving national progress. He noted that the responsibility for development does not solely rest with universities but with the collective efforts of society as a whole. Dr Haque expressed concern over the lack of active intellectual engagement in Pakistani universities, highlighting the scarcity of seminars and conferences.
He emphasised the value of every idea and question, stating that there is no such thing as a bad idea or question. He underscored the importance of self-reliance and hard work for achieving prosperity. He described the generation of ideas as a collective project and emphasised the importance of developing local solutions using local ideas.
Dr Haque urged universities to actively involve students in research and to provide them with their own research agendas. He questioned the traditional focus on mineral resources for development, advocating instead for a greater emphasis on ideas and research. Lastly, he posed a thought-provoking question about the ultimate goal of development, suggesting that it should be centered around well-being and highlighting the pivotal role of students as valuable assets in this endeavour.
Dr Shujaat Farooq, Dean of PIDE emphasised the critical importance of debate and innovative thinking in shaping nations' futures during a recent conference. Despite boasting 270 universities and over 2.5 million students, Pakistan falls short in fostering a culture of critical thinking and innovation compared to its neighbours like China. Dr Farooq stressed that debate is the cornerstone of PIDE’s ethos, with initiatives such as webinars serving as exemplars of this commitment. He underscored the need for collaboration between academia, government, and local industries to address pressing economic challenges, including taxation, revenue generation, and tourism promotion.
Furthermore, he highlighted the imperative of nurturing indigenous debates and university-level collaborations to stimulate intellectual discourse and address economic disparities. By fostering partnerships and promoting dialogue, Dr Farooq envisions a future where Pakistan's youth are empowered to drive positive change and contribute to the nation's economic prosperity.
While inaugurating the conference, Professor Dr Muhammad Kaleem Abbasi, VC AJKU reiterated the university’s commitment to fostering economic development through the empowerment of human capital. He highlighted the region’s unparalleled natural beauty and resources, emphasising the need to harness these blessings for the collective welfare of its inhabitants.
A pivotal session titled, “Economy of AJK: Unlocking the Potential” took center stage, moderated by Dr Nadeemul Haque, VC PIDE. Esteemed speakers, including Khawaja Masood, managing director of the Hydroelectric Board, and Dr Khalid Rafiq, Director General of the IT Board, provided valuable insights into the sectors of power generation, tourism, and digital economy. They emphasised the need for fiscal sustainability and innovative approaches to harnessing the region’s resources.
The potential of AJK’s tourism industry was also a major focus, with discussions led by Midhat Shahzad, Additional Chief Secretary, and Zulfiqar Abbasi, Former Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce. The session was moderated by DrShujaatFarooq, Dean, PIDE, Islamabad. They explored the unique challenges and opportunities in promoting AJK as a premier tourist destination.
In second session the discussion centered on Pakistan's vast economic potential and the persistent gap between potential and actual economic performance. Emphasising the need to prioritise economic growth beyond political rhetoric, the session highlighted the importance of collective policy frameworks tailored specifically for AJK to ensure long-term growth and prosperity.
Key aspects such as fiscal policy and revenue generation strategies were highlighted as important components of this approach. Furthermore, the session explored the untapped economic potential across various sectors, including power generation, tourism, service industries, and the digital economy, stressing the necessity for AJK's economy to pivot towards these new advancement sectors for sustainable growth.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2024
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