Experts analyze the impact of urbanization, poverty, and climate change on Pakistan’s demographic landscape.
- IBA-PRC highlights initiatives like workshops and webinars fostering collaboration and innovation in population research.
- Discussions on migration, gender, health systems, and brain drain highlight critical aspects of development.
- Panelists delve into how businesses can contribute to family planning and use data to measure impact.
Karachi: The Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi, in collaboration with the Population Association of Pakistan (PAP) and the Population Research Centre (PRC), successfully hosted the 25th Annual Population Research Conference. The event, held at the IBA School of Economics & Social Sciences, centered on “Pathways to Sustainable Development”, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to tackle Pakistan’s evolving demographic challenges.
The conference began with an engaging inaugural session, during which Dr. S Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director of IBA Karachi, delivered the welcome address. Senator (R) Javed Jabbar, Director of the Social Policy and Development Centre, Karachi, delivered the keynote speech. Reflecting on PAP’s 25-year journey, Dr. Nasra Shah, President of the Executive Council of PAP, outlined the organization’s pivotal role in advancing population research in Pakistan.
Panel Discussions: Addressing Pakistan’s Future
The conference featured insightful panels and discussions. The first panel, “Pakistan @ 2050”, moderated by Dr. Asma Hyder, Dean of the IBA School of Economics & Social Sciences, explored pressing issues like poverty, urbanization, and climate change.
Key speakers included:
- Dr. Zeba Sathar, Senior Associate & Pakistan Country Director, Population Council
- Dr. Heman Das Lohano, Professor of Economics, IBA Karachi
- Dr. G.M. Arif, Former Joint Director, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics
The panel discussed rapid urbanization, projecting that over 50% of Pakistan’s population will live in cities by 2050. With 40% of urban dwellers already residing in slums, the speakers underscored the urgent need for policy interventions to mitigate risks associated with migration and climate change.
Spotlight on Data for Development
The Spotlight Session, titled “Data for Development”, featured regional heads of Population Research Centres. Dr. Khadija Malik Bari, Director of IBA-PRC, highlighted impactful programs such as:
- The Young Researchers Workshop Series, which equips students with research tools and methodologies.
- A webinar series featuring international scholars, fostering a global exchange of ideas on sustainable development.
Exploring Critical Themes
The second day included technical sessions and poster presentations on key topics like migration, brain drain, gender, health systems, and data-driven decision-making. The event concluded with a panel on “Private Sector Contribution in Family Planning”, which examined the role of businesses in family planning initiatives and the use of data to measure impact.
Commitment to Collaboration
This landmark event showcased IBA Karachi’s commitment to fostering collaboration among scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to address Pakistan’s demographic and social challenges. By bringing together experts and emerging researchers, the conference served as a platform to explore innovative solutions for sustainable development.
IBA Karachi and its partners continue to promote actionable research, driving meaningful change in Pakistan’s socioeconomic landscape.
About IBA Karachi:
IBA Karachi with 70 years of Leadership, Excellence & Impact has broadened its Academic Landscape by launching three unique schools: School of Business Studies (SBS), School of Economics & Social Sciences (SESS), and School of Mathematics & Computer Science (SMCS). This strategic expansion features IBA’s commitment to advancing Leadership, Excellence & Impact across diverse fields.