Publication Date

8-28-2019

Description

Pakistan is likely to face several difficult challenges in the next few decades such as Above average Population growth, rapid urbanization, youth dominated demographics, absorption and application of technological changes, Climate change and a move away from global integration and linkages. On the top of it we are faced with weak governance structure which has made us laggard in the region. In order to prepare for meeting these challenges we have to design a strategy that primarily addresses the governance issues. In my book “Governing the ungovernable” I have concluded that the main driver of change for governance reforms would by and large depend upon the nexus of urbanization educated and enlightened middle class –vocal civil society. Well managed urbanization paves the way for political , economic and social changes.The 2017 census ,in my view based on casual empiricism, understates the size of the urban population as it is based on a flawed and incomplete definition. I am more inclined to endorse Raza Ali, who has used a more broad-based and realistic definition of ‘urban’ and ‘urbanizing’ areas . His research has shown that the urban population would be 46 percent of the total population. The census covers only those living in the municipalities and cantonment areas as urban areas.

Notes

Keynote address delivered at the PRIME-Habitat Conference held at Islamabad on August 28, 2019.

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