Did PIDE foresaw the emerging trends of globalization and advised the government of Pakistan accordingly?
Yes. Even during the sixties PIDE had suggested that tariffs are preferable to non-tariff barriers and that excessive protection to the industries is harmful to the industrial growth over long run. Time has proved our contention was right and now when the non-tariff barriers are being eliminated under WTO regime, several sectors are finding it increasingly difficult to compete with cheaper imported goods. Q: There is a worldwide trend of privatization under conditionality of donor agencies. How do you look at it? A: Even in developed countries, privatization is a buzzword and certainly those countries are not being dictated by donor agencies. By now it is a well known fact that government cannot efficiently run the commercial organizations. It is private sector’s job and they should do it. Government should have a supervisory role to ensure that consumers’ rights are protected. Nevertheless, research at PIDE had suggested to the government even in the early 90s that along with privatis
