Pakistan

Pakistan is a large and diverse federal republic. The country is endowed with the world’s largest canal irrigation system, some of the most fertile soils of South Asia, a large mobile workforce, and a well-established, even if frayed, property rights and governance structure. Despite sustained long-term GDP growth over the last 50 years, however, Pakistan’s low GDP per capita places it barely among the low middle income economies. Pakistan has high debt, large foreign aid and remittances inflows, and low revenue to GDP ratio. Literacy rates are low and health outcomes are poor. There is limited social protection for vulnerable populations and rising inequality and political unrest threaten the sustainability of growth.

The IGC-Pakistan programme is focused on Macroeconomic policy and Public finance; Firm Capabilities and Competitiveness; Political Economy, State Capabilities and Governance; Household behaviour and Investment in Human Capital; and Agriculture and Water Issues.

Below are short summaries and updates about active IGC work in Pakistan:

Pakistan

Growth Week - current agenda
Adam Robert Green

Please download the current agenda for Growth Week, subject to modifications. Day time sessions are now closed. 4.30 pm and 6.30pm sessions are open to the public on a first-come first-serve basis.

IGC Rapid Response and Medium Term Programme in Pakistan
Ijaz Nabi

IGC's demand-driven research and assistance to Punjab, Pakistan on industrial policy, human capital and local government reform. Click here for details.

Property Tax Experiment in Punjab, Pakistan: Testing the Role of Wages, Incentives and Audit on Tax Inspectors’ Behaviour (State Capabilities programme)
Adnan Khan

There is considerable potential for developing country governments to generate greater revenue through better collection of existing taxes, but this hinges on the performance of tax collectors. Working with the government of the province of Punjab, Pakistan, Asim Ijaz Khwaja (Harvard Kennedy School), Benjamin A. Olken (MIT) and Adnan Khan (IGC) investigate the role that wages and incentives for tax collectors can play in reducing tax evasion and increasing tax collection