Govt to support quality research initiatives for better economic policy making : Khusro Bakhtiar

ISLAMABAD, Oct 26 (APP):Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Makhdum Khusro Bakhtiar has underscored the need for carrying out quality and policy-focused research for effective development and economic policy making to enable the policymakers to devise sound strategies for achieving desired development results.
He expressed these views while chairing the 12th Senate meeting of Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) here Friday. It may be noted that the Federal Minister in his capacity as Deputy Chairman Planning Commission, is the Chancellor of PIDE. MNA Ms. Shandana Gulzar, Vice Chancellor PIDE Dr. Asad Zaman, members PIDE Senate and senior officials of the Ministry were also present in the meeting.
The Federal Minister said that PIDE is an important research institution which should be further strengthened and equipped to make it a state of the art centre of excellence for research and academic purposes. The Minister underlined the importance of establishing educational linkages with leading world research institutions to benefit from latest research and expertise in relevant fields. ‘This will also provide greater opportunities to our students to enhance their skills and research techniques to enable them to effectively contribute in the development of the country’, stated the Minister.
During the meeting, various agenda items came under discussion. Regarding the approval of budget for PIDE for financial year 2018-19, the Minister directed to constitute a sub-committee to be headed by MNA Ms. Shandana Gulzar to examine and review the expenditure and budget.
The meeting deferred the approval of budget till the completion of this exercise. Noting that PIDE Senate Meeting is normally held once every year, the Minister called for holding these meetings on quarterly basis for smooth and efficient functioning of organization. The meeting also gave approval of Search Committee for appointment of Vice Chancellor.