100-days to set course for future policies: VC PIDE
By Adnan Rafique

ISLAMABAD—The 100-day policy to be announced by the Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani will set the future course of policies and form basis for the next financial budget as well as economic development programmes.
This was stated by Vice Chancellor, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), Dr. Rashid Amjad in an interview . He said Pakistan was facing challenges which need to be addressed immediately with comprehensive policy decisions, adding that adhocism should be avoided for sustainable economic development. “We are facing global economic pressure due to higher energy and food prices, macro economic imbalances and lack of investment decisions”, he remarked. The VC said the government would have to formalize sustainable economic policies by ensuring efficiency and equity, besides taking concrete steps for poverty alleviation. He suggested for establishing a social protection network for the poor by providing decent job opportunities for them.
He said that Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) would be strengthened to include it among leading global research organization to guide policy makers achieve objectives of sustainable economic growth and social justice for socio-economic prosperity.
He added that PIDE has become a leading research institution and ranking top ten institutions in Asia. “We want to further strengthen the research and teaching process to make it one of the leading research institution in the world”, he remarked. Dr. Amjad said that in the Autumn Programme 2007 formal programme of teaching PHd,M Phil and MBA programmes have been started in the institute. He disclosed that Central Development Party (CDWP) has approved a project at a cost of Rs.200 million for PIDE to strengthen teaching and research facilities of the institute.
The VC PIDE said under the programme foreign visiting professors would be hired to share their knowledge and expertise with the faculty members of the institute. Dr.Rashid Amjad further said that two new faculties of Environment Economics and Health Economics would be introduced in the institution soon.
He added that post of Chief Economists in the Planning Commission would further be strengthened to ensure the effective and proper implementation of government polices for the country’s socio economic prosperity.
Economic experts should utilize their professional expertise in decision making and not merely work as spin doctors to meet economic challenges being faced by the country.