public policy
Lifting the YouTube Ban in Pakistan – A Possible Solution [Updated]
It has been close to 11 months since YouTube was banned by the Pakistani government following the release of a ‘disgusting and reprehensible’ video titled Innocence of Muslims on the Google owned web property. On one hand, the content of the video inflamed the sensitivities of the predominantly Muslim populace and consequently, seemingly, justifies the […]
Citizen Relationship Management – Proactively Engaging Citizens in Public Governance
Last year, I had put together an outline for a proactive model to engage citizens for public governance using information technology while ensuring the model doesn’t ruffle too many feathers in the pragmatic public administration that generally loves status quo. The presentation, linked below from this article, was put together at the request of senior […]
A strategic integrated program to promote IT Entrepreneurship in Punjab
Entrepreneurship is the backbone of any economy and Pakistan’s is no different. We are seemingly a nation of entrepreneurs – from a small-scale farmer in Bhakkar to businessmen like Mian Mansha and Syed Babar Ali – brimming with people who “build capital through risk and initiative” and fit the definition of the term as per […]
Effective Implementation of Decentralized Healthcare System in Pakistan
A few weeks ago, a “naukri pesha mazdoor” named Asad Umar of PTI and ex-CEO of Engro shared an excellent article titled “Policy Brief: Health Systems Governance” through one of his tweets. Unfortunately, the author of the article is not identified – neither in Asad’s tweet nor in the article itself. It was a good read and made […]
Proposal for Effective Implementation of Punjab Internships Program
I made the following presentation to the Chief Minister of Punjab, Mian Shahbaz Sharif for effective implementation of the Internships program the government had announced earlier. The program is to be implemented with a budget of PKR 1.5 Billion or USD 16 Million to provide the youth of the province with an opportunity to intern […]
A Framework for Providing Capital Access to Startups in Pakistan
One of the action items from the Meet and Greet Session with the Chief Minister of Punjab held on July 11, 2012 for the local technology entrepreneurs was the development of a framework to facilitate access to capital for young start-ups in the province. Two days after the meeting, Mr. Umar Saif, Chairman Punjab Information […]