As cities expand, governance remains fragmented, often prioritizing short-term gains over sustainable planning. This blog highlights the need for anticipatory governance, inclusive urban planning, and citizen participation to create livable, equitable, and resilient cities. Drawing from global best practices, it explores the role of data-driven policies, participatory decision-making, and leadership development in shaping a sustainable urban future.
Written by: Muhammad Abubakar Pakistan faces a daunting fiscal landscape where reforming the taxation system is central to fostering economic stability. The country's tax-to-GDP ratio of 9% in 2024 remains among the lowest globally, starkly contrasting with regional peers like India (16.7%) and developed nations such as Sweden, which consistently exceed 20%. This disparity reflects systemic inefficiencies, including a narrow tax base, rampant evasion, and over-reliance on indirect taxes, disproportionately burdening lower-income groups. Pakistan's fiscal challenges demand bold, transformative action. Incremental measures will no longer suffice. The nation can unlock sustainable growth by prioritizing tax reform, fostering economic transparency, and investing in high-potential sectors. However, this requires unwavering political will and robust public support. The question remains: will Pakistan rise to the occasion?
Written by: Asif Farooqui Why do we lack the empathy and respect that hold societies together? Why do we take pride in bending the rules, ignoring queues, and exploiting situations for personal gain? These questions weigh heavily on me as I think about the society we often compare to others. We admire nations like Japan and Scandinavian countries for their discipline and social values. Yet, we fail to emulate those principles in our own lives. The irony is that our collective disregard for laws and social values mirrors the same failings we criticize in our leaders. Politicians may misuse power, and public servants may lack accountability, but as a society, we, too, play a role in perpetuating this dysfunction.
In a recent conversation with a senior police officer, a close collaborator, and a friend of Accountability Lab, I encountered an intriguing perspective on corruption within law enforcement—one that challenges the conventional narrative. This thought piece reflects on that conversation and explores the simple yet ignored dynamics between citizens and law enforcement officials, shedding light on how citizens may inadvertently become enablers of corruption.
Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16) emphasizes promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, ensuring access to justice for all, and building accountable and effective institutions. SDG 16 is integral to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, aiming to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build [...]
The underrepresentation of women in Pakistan's legal and justice systems is a significant impediment to societal equity and progress. This issue was brought into sharp focus during a recent orientation session organized by UN Women for the Gender Parity Project, to which Accountability Lab Pakistan is an implementing partner. The [...]
The relentless force of climate change has made the planet undergo a tragic transformation. The visible wounds of rising temperatures and environmental destruction are not the only things demanding human attention. There is a devastating toll quietly dismantling in the shadows, affecting the mental health of both humans and animals. It is no surprise that with extreme weather changes and a rise in pollution, climate change negatively influences human behavior.
Dr. Khalid Mahmood Shafi is an academician and a practitioner with over thirty years of assorted experience. Dr. Khalid has a diverse academic background in social sciences, having attained a Master's degree in Strategic Studies, Peace and Conflict Studies, and International Relations. Additionally, he holds an MPhil and PhD degree in Peace and Conflict Studies with an interest in Global Climate Crisis; has been educating students at the university level. Dr. Khalid in a leadership role has served in the field where in addition to actively countering terrorism, he carried a passion to contribute to people-centric sustainable development and addressing environmental concerns. His publications in national and international journals are based on diverse topics of Policy reforms, Climate Change, Human Security, Civil Society, Air Pollution, COVID-19, UN, Peacebuilding and Non-Traditional Security Threats. He has also served in the United Nations. Dr. Khalid has authored two books titled "The Climate and COVID-19: Global Challenges and Responses" and "Now or Never: Realizing Global Green Regime."
There is a general disillusionment among the people about the future of the country and the grass being greener on the other side. Such misconceptions make them willing to invest all their savings, fall into debt, and risk their lives to escape the country.
Pakistan has one of the lowest women labor force participation in South Asia, primarily due to the fact that women’s careers, professional growth, creative expression, and mobility are constrained due to the prevalence of patriarchal norms. Historically, Pakistan has always been a male-chauvinistic society, but with changing times and increasing participation of women in the workforce, public spaces need to become much more accessible and safer for women.
