Incubation

Pakistan's poor performance in human development indicators ranks the country 127th out of 162 nations.  Over the past several years, despite moderately consistent funding, dismal human development indicators imply that the country needs a new approach to development.  The President's Task Force on Human Development was created to examine the development situation in Pakistan, identify the major obstacles impeding the achievement of social sector goals and propose innovative solutions for Pakistan's development, social transformation and effective delivery of social services.

The Task Force found that the social sector in Pakistan is in need of a systemic overhaul.  Most social sector interventions have fallen short of meeting their targets.  The Task Force interviewed over 1000 stakeholders (NGO leaders, elected representatives, academics, experts, parents, teachers, doctors), conducted 50 workshops in all four provinces, conducted town hall meetings, and carried out door-to-door surveys to identify system wide needs and issues.  Amongst many others, the absence of community ownership and decision-making, lack of integrated programs, deficits in capacity and competency, system-wide lack of accountability, and managerial inefficiencies were identified as the key reasons for failures in human development.