The National Learning Event on “Reforming Governance Post-18th Amendment: Lessons Learnt and the Path Forward” opened today at the Serena Hotel, Islamabad, bringing together prominent figures from government, academia, and the international development sector. Hosted by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) in partnership with Oxford Policy Management (OPM) and other development partners, the conference reflects on progress with governance reforms post 18th Amendment, and reform priorities for the future. The event opened with addresses from Jane Marriott CMG OBE, British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Mujib Sadozai, Director of the Sub-National Governance (SNG) Programme, and by Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Federal Minister for Power. In her opening remarks, Jane Marriott highlighted the importance of “Accountable, Capable and Inclusive Governance”, and UK’s longstanding support for Pakistan’s governance journey. She noted that “Decentralised governance has the potential to drive sustainable development, and we are committed to assisting Pakistan in achieving resilient and inclusive reforms.” Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, the Federal Minister for Power, expressed gratitude for the event and the role of the UK as a development partner. He emphasized the importance of increased fiscal space to ease economic pressures, particularly in the power sector where fiscal constraints limit government’s ability to invest and provide benefits to consumers. The Minister discussed the need for reforms in social protection systems to improve transparency and inclusion, and the need for reforms to strengthen local government. He noted the challenges posed by Pakistan's rapid population growth, stressing the need for preventive healthcare measures. In the power sector, he outlined efforts to increase renewable energy generation, and the importance of ensuring that power sector investments are economically viable. He highlighted government's ongoing efforts to reform power distribution companies, including through privatisation, and to improve efficiency and management. The Minister concluded by highlighting how these reforms will improve public services for the benefit of the citizens of Pakistan. The first session, “Enhancing Fiscal Space,” chaired by Ali Pervaiz Malik, Minister of State for Finance, Revenue and Power, focused on measures to strengthen Pakistan’s financial foundations. The session featured presentations from Abdul Rehman Warraich, Commissioner, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, and Dr Hamid Ateeq Sarwar, Member IR-Policy, Federal Board of Revenue, alongside contributions from Farida Amjad, Tariq Bajwa, Dr. Akbar Zaidi and Sakib Sherani on sustainable policies to enhance fiscal space by making through revenue generation and improved expenditure management, at both federal and provincial levels. In the afternoon, the second session, “Reforming Public Financial Management,” explored strategies to strengthen public financial management systems. Chaired by Mark Henstridge, CEO of OPM, the session included presentations from Nauman Yousuf, Chairman of the Punjab Revenue Authority, and Faisal Rashid, Senior PFM Expert at OPM, with insights on policy reforms by Imdad Ullah Bosal, Finance Secretary, Sana Masood, Senior economist at ADB, John Gray, Senior PFM Expert and Tobias Haque, Lead Country Economist at the World Bank. Concluding Day 1, the third session, “Strengthening Social Protection,” focused on enhancing Pakistan’s social safety net programmes to reduce poverty and inequality. Rubina Khalid, Chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme, led this session, where Ali Raza Bhutta, former Secretary of the Poverty Alleviation Division, and Dr Sohail Anwar, Social Protection Advisor at SNG, emphasised collaboration between federal and provincial governments to ensure more inclusive social welfare policies. Panellists included Johanna Knoess of GIZ, Ali Shahzad, CEO PSPA, Maheen Zahra, Senior Consultant SNG and Guillermo Montt from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), all of whom stressed the need for transparent and resilient social protection systems in Pakistan. Day 1 of the conference explored future reform priorities to increase fiscal space, strengthen public financial management, and provide targeted social protection. Delegates departed with valuable insights on the governance reforms needed to address the development challenges facing Pakistan. Day 2 will continue with sessions focused on reform of local government, development planning, and public sector performance.
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