Maryam Fatima

17-ARID-2661

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN PAKISTAN

“ How quality of research link with trade? ”

Pakistan's low level of scientific research is due to a culture that discourages

independent and critical thinking, says N. A. Jafarey.
The Research and Development (R&D) is the key in the social, economic,
political and technological development of a country .The vulnerable communities have
to bear the cost of ignoring R&D. Evidences reveal that whatsoever research is going on
in various disciplines of basic and social sciences at higher education level is hardly
meeting the international standards.
 Most of the public and private organizations have lost their faith regarding the real
importance of research in the strategic planning of their institutes.
 Public sector hardly realizes any need of research in the pursuit of its projects,
programs, planning and policies. Without R&D system, the dream of economic
development cannot be materialized.
Rich countries are investing more on Research and development as compared to
poor countries.
 Non-technical persons are engaged in planning to determine the path of scientific
research which is neither development oriented nor consistent across time. Mostly, short
term objectives are pursued to meet the political will and vested interests of some
entourage groups.
Lack of funding and of adequate facilities are presented as the major reasons that
research has not been conducted in the country on a large enough scale.
Whatsoever funds are allocated, there is a twisted pattern of favoritism.
A failed research program is not as dangerous as a failed development project for a heavy
cost is involved in the latter’s case. Restructuring of R&D departments both at federal
and provincial levels along with institutional development may be the likely stamp for
economic development.
Just because you want to become a trader doesn’t mean that it could be done quite easily.
While there are various benefits you could gain as a trader, one significant thing you
should focus on is doing your research on what trading is all about.
Trading involves a lot of specific and unique terms. Without familiarizing yourself with
such terms, trading wouldn’t be easy for you. Not to mention, to be successful in trading,
Maryam Fatima
17-ARID-2661

you must gain experience in trading itself as it requires patience, time and, knowledge or
in other words, the research you have done.

Suggestions :
 It is better to make a mistake in the adventure of research rather than making blunders in
the domain of development projects A failed research program is not as dangerous as a
failed development project for a heavy cost is involved in the latter’s case.
 Restructuring of R&D departments both at federal and provincial levels along with
institutional development may be the likely stamp for economic development.
  District governments can manage to develop District Data Banks (DDBs) through
application of ICTs by involving education departments.
  In development oriented projects, right things should be aligned in right places.
  Keeping the resource constraints in view, priorities should be determined for the
allocation of funds for R&D.
 Interests should be controlled through social and judicial auditing.
 Regular internal and external (third party) assessments of projects is the hallmark of
success. 
  Previous experiences of other countries may also be replicated in the upcoming R&D
initiatives.
 There should be a base line study so that “before and after” project scenarios could be
compared.
 Similarly “with and without project” prospects may also be evaluated.
  Some Centers of Excellence may be established which are associated to various
provincial and federal ministries.
 Reasonable training and technical skills should be offered.
 Besides time series data, panel data sets should also be generated so that rigorous
empirical analysis could be done for further R&D across the time.
Conclusion:
  Policy experts and planners must recognize that a sound R&D system is a necessary
condition for the socio-economic development of Pakistan because no country of the world
has made progress without establishing such an R&D system.