Economic Planning
While reopening of businesses following a drop in Covid-19 cases is encouraging, Pakistan’s economic recovery remains slow due to internal and external factors. The following challenges are likely to persist in the near-term:
World-renowned for the succulent cherries of Pakistan, this delicious fruit from Hunza almost missed its yearly market debut. Cherry-picking in Hunza was not the same during the COVID-19 pandemic. Oftentimes, traders would book cherry trees and ensure the picking, packaging and transportation of this delicious fruit to market, compensating tree ‘owners’ accordingly. The shutdowns and lockdowns, due to COVID-19, left the cherry growers in a state of dismay, with no intermediaries to link them to market. The Aga Khan Economic Planning Board (AKEPB) stepped in to initiate a programme to impart proper techniques of cherry-picking, packaging and linking the growers directly to the market. By filling the market linkage gap, AKEPB saved the cherry growers’ annual income and the wastage of the fruit.
“Even if I can save 10 or 20 rupees a day, I will save it. I want my children and their children to have a bright future,” shares Sharifullah.
Sharifullah, a resident of Immit, in Ishkoman Valley, Gilgit-Baltistan believes prosperity lies in saving for future generations. While working as a farmer, Sharifullah barely earned enough to feed his family.
The percentage of elderly people in Pakistan is expected to double to 12 percent by 2050, increasing the number of senior citizens to 40 million. This demographic transition impacts citizens of all ages. Therefore, it is important that senior citizens take the necessary steps to ensure they have a good quality of life financially, even after retirement.
The Aga Khan Economic Planning Board for Pakistan, in collaboration with Accelerate Prosperity Pakistan (APP), an initiative of the Aga Khan Development Network, held an entrepreneurship development seminar for the Southern, Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral regions at the Karachi School of Business and Leadership (KSBL) auditorium.
Finding the right job is a challenge for job seekers. To assist people in Pakistan in this important endeavour, the Aga Khan Economic Planning Board for Pakistan (AKEPBP) has initiated an online portal called Mansab.
The Aga Khan Education Board for Pakistan in collaboration with The Aga Khan Economic Planning Board for Pakistan recently held the “Ra'id Leadership Conference”, a Diamond Jubilee Initiative of the National Council for Pakistan. The conference brought together outstanding young members of the Jamat, providing them with exceptional resources to develop their leadership skills while providing an opportunity for this next generation of leaders to forge connections with their peers from around the country.
Islamabad, 27 May 2016 — As their working visit to Pakistan drew to a close, Princess Zahra and Prince Rahim expressed optimism and a sense of opportunity about the tasks that lay ahead of AKDN in improving quality of life for the people of the country. The two were guests of honour at a Jamati institutional dinner on Wednesday before they departed Pakistan yesterday.