Pakistan's Policy Challenges: Ambitious Plans, Limited Action

Pakistan has long been caught in a cycle of policy paralysis, where ambitious plans are frequently announced but seldom put into action. This phenomenon has persisted for decades, with numerous policies and five-year plans launched since the 1960s, yet the implementation remains a significant challenge. The irony is that while these plans often begin with a review of past efforts, they rarely achieve their intended goals. Instead, any success is often attributed to external factors rather than the plans themselves.

One of the most frequently cited examples of this failure is the comparison between Pakistan and South Korea. In the 1960s, Pakistan was seen as a potential leader in development, with plans that were even emulated by South Korea. However, a closer examination reveals that South Korea's success stemmed from its ability to identify effective policies and implement them efficiently. Today, South Korea stands as a technological powerhouse, with its exports far exceeding Pakistan's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The root of Pakistan's policy failures can often be traced back to a fundamental misunderstanding of what a policy truly is. In many cases, policies are lengthy documents filled with jargon and lacking in actionable substance. They often serve merely as a means to allocate resources without any accountability for results. In Pakistan's 75-year history, no minister or ministry has faced consequences for failing to implement policies.

A recent example of this ongoing issue is the National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (NSTIP), released in January 2022. This 145-page document, produced by the Pakistan Council for Science and Technology, aims to address various challenges in the science and technology sector. While it begins with an inspiring quote from Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the national poet, the document itself is criticized for being overly verbose and lacking in clear, actionable steps.

One notable aspect of the NSTIP is its attempt to outline specific "policy statements" intended to guide decision-making. However, the sheer number of these statements—around 63—dilutes their effectiveness. Many of these statements do not propose a clear change in direction or offer a practical framework for implementation. For instance, statements about increasing research spending or defining societal challenges lack the necessary enforcement mechanisms to ensure they are acted upon.

To improve the effectiveness of policy-making in Pakistan, a minimalist approach is essential. Current practices often result in documents that are excessively long and filled with unnecessary information. In contrast, effective policies should be concise, with every word carrying weight. A good example of this is the U.S. Constitution, which is only about 4,500 words long yet has guided the nation for over two centuries.

Pakistan's struggle with policy implementation is a complex issue rooted in a lack of clarity and accountability. The NSTIP, while a step in the right direction, exemplifies the need for a more focused and actionable approach to policy-making. By adopting a minimalist mindset and ensuring that policies are not just documents but actionable plans, Pakistan can begin to break free from its cycle of policy paralysis. Only then can the nation hope to realize its potential and achieve meaningful progress in various sectors.