The index generates a composite ranking and a component wise ranking of economic freedom in the four provinces based largely on 2007 data. Economic freedom available to individuals and firms in a given setting has a direct bearing on the economic performance. This study analyzes economic freedom at sub-national/provincial level in Pakistan in accordance with the Economic Freedom of the World Index. National comparisons on economic freedom have been standardized for many years now. The sub-national studies take the same process a step further

Download

Pro-poor resource allocation has increasingly become a focus of attention for policy makers and the civil society alike. Various studies have suggested indicators to gauge the extent of pro-poor resource allocation within the budgetary documents. While budgets reveal government priorities, they also tend to hide people’s perspectives. The present study combines budgetary analysis with people’s insights and brings out an integrated perspective on pro-poor resource allocation in post-devolution context in Pakistan. This study is based on review of budgetary documents, interviews and focus group discussions through out the focus districts under SAP-PK’s project “Strengthening Democratic Governance in Pakistan.”

Download

Lead Researcher & Author: Iqbal Haider Butt Supported by Heinrich Boll Stiftung (HBS) Highly innovative and stimulating: this research study provides a wide range of developmental perspectives to the study of student politics in Pakistan – a clear departure from traditional examination limited to political and ideological contexts of student action in campuses. REVISITING STUDENT POLITICS IN PAKISTAN combines rare chapters in history, analysis and documentation of student politics. This study deciphers patterns of key student movements in Pakistan through extensive historical information and fresh analytical approaches. Readers are provided with additional evidence through interviews of 24 past student leaders and a detailed chronology of events. The author argues that a fundamental transition in student politics of Pakistan is in the making due to changes in the academic environment, socio-political variations and shifts in resource building and motivational stimulus for studen

Download

Peasants and Workers Groups: Annual Consolidated Report (Jan-Dec 2006) South Asia Partnership-Pakistan (SAP-Pk), Lahore: July – Dec 2007. Iqbal Haider Butt This report documents progress and guides performance of Peasant and Worker Groups to maximize the benefits of decentralized power structures in 40 districts of Pakistan.

Download

This report deals with, what goes wrong with the Government intervention in price determination and historical analysis of developments especially with regards to the sugar and flour crises in Pakistan, compares various stabilization measures (subsidies, open market operations, price ceilings) with respect to their implications for consumers, producers, and macroeconomic balances, and presents policy options focusing on the price stabilization as well as liberal options to provide support for the vulnerable segments and an advocacy toolkit is presented to help liberal friends argue their case with simple and effective arguments when it comes to price control measures in the garb of welfare.

Download

The presence of mutual funds should have a positive effect on savings as they are private player in the market of investment management, and thus provide alternative platforms for savings. To what extent, it has actually happened, particularly at individual level? Are there any linkages between the growth in the mutual fund and growth in the real private sector? How the liberalization in the financial sector is compared with liberalization in other sectors? This report attempts to answer similar important questions

Download

Young Entrepreneurs Development Workshops Salman, A. & Naveed, M. (2008): Economic Freedom Network-Friedrich Naumann Stiftung, Islamabad, Pakistan Development Pool, a knowledge management consulting firm based out of Lahore, organized three workshops in 2008 to train young and potential entrepreneurs in the industrial hub of Punjab, namely Faisalabad, Sialkot and Gujranwala. The basic purpose of these workshops was to inspire the young entrepreneurs to start and manage their businesses effectively. These young entrepreneurs have passion but lack confidence, skills and vision. The challenge is to train them and show them the professional approach of handling obstacles and receiving maximum benefits from the opportunities by objectively analyzing the on- ground realities.

Download