Tabadlab – Understanding Change

You can download the PDF version here. Trump's Liberation Day Tariffs In... The post Pakistan and the Trump Tariff Increase appeared first on Tabadlab | Understanding Change.

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Pakistan’s Debt Crisis Pakistan’s debt is a formidable, existential, and pertinent challenge,... The post A Raging Fire appeared first on Tabadlab | Understanding Change.

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You can download the PDF version here. Pakistan has witnessed a high... The post Government Embracing EdTech: The Case of the TeleSchool App appeared first on Tabadlab | Understanding Change.

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You can download the PDF version here. Context On November 28, 2022,... The post TTP Redux: A Costly Ceasefire appeared first on Tabadlab | Understanding Change.

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You can download the PDF version here. The Problem: A Nationwide Shortage... The post Pain Mismanagement: Pakistan's Big Pharma and Regulators' Headache appeared first on Tabadlab | Understanding Change.

Executive Summary An in depth analysis of NDMA's response to the 2010... The post Dealing with Disaster: Learning from 2010 Floods appeared first on Tabadlab | Understanding Change.

On August 22, in the midst of the devastating floods that shook... The post Pakistan Disconnected: Understanding the Fragility of our Mobile Network in the Wake of the 2022 Floods appeared first on Tabadlab | Understanding Change.

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Insights from the Global Findex 2021 Covid-19 has accelerated digital transformation globally,... The post Pakistan's Unbanked appeared first on Tabadlab | Understanding Change.

Read and download the complete Working Paper here.  East Africa, particularly the... The post China in East Africa: Great Power Ambitions Meet Regional Realities appeared first on Tabadlab | Understanding Change.

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  Download a pdf version here. Background and Context The Government of... The post Pakistan, the TTP, and the Impetus for Internal and External Peace appeared first on Tabadlab | Understanding Change.

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 In this episode of Pakistonomy, Uzair talks to Jahangir Piracha, Chief... The post Pakistonomy Episode 83 – How Modern Materials Can Transform Pakistan's Construction Industry appeared first on Tabadlab | Understanding Change.

You can download the full paper here. Executive Summary Pakistan's economy has... The post Energising the Tech Investment Ecosystem in Pakistan appeared first on Tabadlab | Understanding Change.

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Working Paper 08 Abdul Basit Abstract: While the US has withdrawn from... The post Time for an Indigenous Pakistani Counter Terrorism Discourse? appeared first on Tabadlab | Understanding Change.

You can download an e-reader friendly version here. On September 2, 2021,... The post Central Bank as Real Estate Regulator: Can the SBP's Latest Guidelines Help Meet the Housing Shortfall? appeared first on Tabadlab | Understanding Change.

The road ahead for Pakistan’s digital future in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. The post Connecting Pakistan: Covid-19 as a Catalyst for Digital Transformation appeared first on Tabadlab | Understanding Change.

A transformation roadmap based on emerging health requirements and deficiencies. The post Stress Testing Pakistani Federalism appeared first on Tabadlab | Understanding Change.

A transformation roadmap based on emerging health requirements and deficiencies. The post Bearing the Cost of Global Politics appeared first on Tabadlab | Understanding Change.

The youth bulge in Pakistan offers a unique and timed opportunity to yield demographic dividend from a developed and economically productive workforce, however, this potential is far from being realised. The post Skills Development to Accelerate Economic Recovery during Covid-19 appeared first on Tabadlab | Understanding Change.

You can download the e-reader friendly version here. U.S Foreign Policy in Transition The U.S. Elections have come at a complex time in international relations as several major global trends are at critical junctures involving the U.S. China competition, the increasing role of technology in foreign policy, the importance of public health, and the wider overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. For Pakistan and the South Asia region, the future of the Afghanistan conflict and the nature of US relations with Iran and Saudi Arabic necessitate important questions about how the Biden administration will navigate the challenges of a post-Trump international order. In keeping with Tabadlab’s consistent effort to engage important policy voices and try to understand key issues, Tabadlab Policy Roundtable 17 seeks to explore all of these questions with an august group of panelists. Featured Panelists Jonah Blank is an Author of ‘Mullahs on the Mainframe” and “Arrow of the Blue-Skinned God” and Former South & Southeast Asia Policy Director on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Robin L. Raphel is a Former US Diplomat, Lobbyist, Ambassador Matt Duss is an American Political Activist and Foreign Policy Advisor for Senator Bernie Sanders Discussion Summary Biden’s Foreign Policy Direction How will domestic issues and Biden’s own political leanings impact the direction of his administration’s foreign policy? While U.S. progressives believe it is crucial to address domestic issues such as polarization, the COVID-19 pandemic, and white supremacy in order to have a robust and effective foreign policy, it is likely that Biden will try to reassert U.S. authority in the international domain and prioritize foreign policy. The Biden administration will try to have a bipartisan foreign policy wherever possible in a way that is both driven by realism and human rights values. US-China Relations The past decade has seen the rise of China as a global leader and a main focus in the foreign policy community. Our participants discuss how Trump laid bare several concerns about China in a manner that has paved the way for the next administration to openly recognize the set of challenges that China represents in a responsible manner. Although the U.S. needs to reclaim ceded ground and compete with China in the domain of global infrastructure, cooperation is also required for matters such as climate change and future pandemics. The Afghan Peace Process Will the U.S. Elections stall the Afghan peace negotiations? Our panelists recall how Biden has been consistent in his beliefs that the U.S. strategy in Afghanistan has failed and that tensions in the region cannot be solved by military intervention. The Biden administration has demonstrated a commitment to end prolonged war in a manner that both increases stability and ensures a robust political, economic, and diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan. However, the manner in which U.S. troops will disengage and whether or not American policy will leave an impact in Afghanistan remains uncertain. S. Policy in the Middle East Our roundtable discusses future U.S. relations with Iran, Saudi, and Israel. Biden’s commitment to rejoin the JCPOA, to obtain an improved version of the Iran nuclear deal, and to seek broader diplomatic engagement with Iran has also been shared by other Democratic candidates. Countries like the U.A.E. and Israel may attempt to prevent U.S. diplomacy with Iran, but the U.S. commitment to engagement with Iran will prove a litmus test for progressives. The Kashmir Conflict What stance on Kashmir can we expect from a Biden administration? The Trump presidency handled the rise of Indo-Pak tensions and regional instability in Kashmir in a manner that lacked clarity. While it is expected that the U.S. administration will continue to facilitate as opposed to mediate international conflict, the Biden administration may signal to India that recent developments in Kashmir have not been consistent with American values. Furthermore, it is anticipated that Biden will try to maintain strong relationships with both India and Pakistan. The U.S. and Europe Several trends in Europe, such as Britain’s exit from the EU and the rise of neo-centrism in France raise questions about how a Biden presidency will approach Europe. During the last decade, Europe has begun to feel the need to promote its own interests and independence, a need that was exacerbated during the Trump administration. Biden sees reestablishing the transatlantic relationship as a priority now that Europe begins to recognize itself as a bloc that is coequal with America. Technology and International Relations It is important to consider how countries, not just the U.S.’s adversaries, broadly use social media and how platforms like Facebook influence on-the-ground politics across the globe. There has been a rise of illiberal leaders promoting exclusivist politics through the use of social media, which has influence

You can download the e-reader friendly version here. U.S Foreign Policy in Transition The U.S. Elections have come at a complex time in international relations as several major global trends are at critical junctures involving the U.S. China competition, the increasing role of technology in foreign policy, the importance of public health, and the wider overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. For Pakistan and the South Asia region, the future of the Afghanistan conflict and the nature of US relations with Iran and Saudi Arabic necessitate important questions about how the Biden administration will navigate the challenges of a post-Trump international order. In keeping with Tabadlab’s consistent effort to engage important policy voices and try to understand key issues, Tabadlab Policy Roundtable 17 seeks to explore all of these questions with an august group of panelists. Featured Panelists Jonah Blank is an Author of ‘Mullahs on the Mainframe” and “Arrow of the Blue-Skinned God” and Former South & Southeast Asia Policy Director on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Robin L. Raphel is a Former US Diplomat, Lobbyist, Ambassador Matt Duss is an American Political Activist and Foreign Policy Advisor for Senator Bernie Sanders Discussion Summary Biden’s Foreign Policy Direction How will domestic issues and Biden’s own political leanings impact the direction of his administration’s foreign policy? While U.S. progressives believe it is crucial to address domestic issues such as polarization, the COVID-19 pandemic, and white supremacy in order to have a robust and effective foreign policy, it is likely that Biden will try to reassert U.S. authority in the international domain and prioritize foreign policy. The Biden administration will try to have a bipartisan foreign policy wherever possible in a way that is both driven by realism and human rights values. US-China Relations The past decade has seen the rise of China as a global leader and a main focus in the foreign policy community. Our participants discuss how Trump laid bare several concerns about China in a manner that has paved the way for the next administration to openly recognize the set of challenges that China represents in a responsible manner. Although the U.S. needs to reclaim ceded ground and compete with China in the domain of global infrastructure, cooperation is also required for matters such as climate change and future pandemics. The Afghan Peace Process Will the U.S. Elections stall the Afghan peace negotiations? Our panelists recall how Biden has been consistent in his beliefs that the U.S. strategy in Afghanistan has failed and that tensions in the region cannot be solved by military intervention. The Biden administration has demonstrated a commitment to end prolonged war in a manner that both increases stability and ensures a robust political, economic, and diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan. However, the manner in which U.S. troops will disengage and whether or not American policy will leave an impact in Afghanistan remains uncertain. S. Policy in the Middle East Our roundtable discusses future U.S. relations with Iran, Saudi, and Israel. Biden’s commitment to rejoin the JCPOA, to obtain an improved version of the Iran nuclear deal, and to seek broader diplomatic engagement with Iran has also been shared by other Democratic candidates. Countries like the U.A.E. and Israel may attempt to prevent U.S. diplomacy with Iran, but the U.S. commitment to engagement with Iran will prove a litmus test for progressives. The Kashmir Conflict What stance on Kashmir can we expect from a Biden administration? The Trump presidency handled the rise of Indo-Pak tensions and regional instability in Kashmir in a manner that lacked clarity. While it is expected that the U.S. administration will continue to facilitate as opposed to mediate international conflict, the Biden administration may signal to India that recent developments in Kashmir have not been consistent with American values. Furthermore, it is anticipated that Biden will try to maintain strong relationships with both India and Pakistan. The U.S. and Europe Several trends in Europe, such as Britain’s exit from the EU and the rise of neo-centrism in France raise questions about how a Biden presidency will approach Europe. During the last decade, Europe has begun to feel the need to promote its own interests and independence, a need that was exacerbated during the Trump administration. Biden sees reestablishing the transatlantic relationship as a priority now that Europe begins to recognize itself as a bloc that is coequal with America. Technology and International Relations It is important to consider how countries, not just the U.S.’s adversaries, broadly use social media and how platforms like Facebook influence on-the-ground politics across the globe. There has been a rise of illiberal leaders promoting exclusivist politics through the use of social media, which has influenced the rise of authoritarianism. A Biden administration must both grapple with the influence of big tech through regulati

You can download the e-reader friendly version here. FATF Verdict: What Next for Pakistan? The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) decided to keep Pakistan on its grey list in the plenary meeting in October. At the same time, the taskforce acknowledged the progress Pakistan has made, having largely addressed 21 points on the 27-point action plan. The country has been given until February 2021 to fully comply. Tabadlab’s panel of experts discusses the recent decision by the FATF to keep Pakistan on the “grey list” and its political, legal, and economic implications. The conversation also addresses the FATF decision-making process and provides a roadmap for how Pakistan can exit the “grey list.” Featured Panelists Safiya Ghori-Ahmad is a South Asia Director, McLarty Associates, and Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council Ehsan Malik is the Chief Executive Officer of Pakistan Business Council Kateryna Bugoslavska is the Project Manager Basel AML Index, Basel Institute on Governance Jamal Aziz is the Executive Director, Research Society of International Law (RSIL) Dr. Aliya H. Khan is a Professor of Economics (R) and Ex-Dean of Social Sciences, Quaid-e-Azam University Discussion Summary Technical Non-Compliance While FATF has improved its processes to document and evaluate the performance of countries, Pakistan has not been able to demonstrate its capacity to comply on key technical points. In particular, the structure of the Pakistani economy and its dependence on unregulated sectors, makes it difficult to uphold the financial regulatory system required for technical Impact on Informal Economy The panellists stressed that an understanding of the economic implications of FATF decisions requires a focus on the unregulated sectors of the economy. Pakistan has a very large informal economy and there are both risks and rewards associated with its financial regulation. While any improvement that complies with FATF will be beneficial in the long run, the informal sector will suffer in the short term. U.S Position In the aftermath of the U.S Presidential Elections, the concern from Pakistan will still be about ensuring financial transparency and strengthening counter terrorism efforts, particularly if Pakistan wants to attract new foreign investors from the U.S. Moreover, Pakistan’s ability to borrow money from foreign investors will also be impacted if it fails to demonstrate compliance with FATF regulations. Unrealistic Timeline Although Pakistan has enacted over a dozen laws in order to align with the FATF 27-point action plan, four months seems like

You can download the e-reader friendly version here. FATF Verdict: What Next for Pakistan? The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) decided to keep Pakistan on its grey list in the plenary meeting in October. At the same time, the taskforce acknowledged the progress Pakistan has made, having largely addressed 21 points on the 27-point action plan. The country has been given until February 2021 to fully comply. Tabadlab’s panel of experts discusses the recent decision by the FATF to keep Pakistan on the “grey list” and its political, legal, and economic implications. The conversation also addresses the FATF decision-making process and provides a roadmap for how Pakistan can exit the “grey list.” Featured Panelists Safiya Ghori-Ahmad is a South Asia Director, McLarty Associates, and Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council Ehsan Malik is the Chief Executive Officer of Pakistan Business Council Kateryna Bugoslavska is the Project Manager Basel AML Index, Basel Institute on Governance Jamal Aziz is the Executive Director, Research Society of International Law (RSIL) Dr. Aliya H. Khan is a Professor of Economics (R) and Ex-Dean of Social Sciences, Quaid-e-Azam University Discussion Summary Technical Non-Compliance While FATF has improved its processes to document and evaluate the performance of countries, Pakistan has not been able to demonstrate its capacity to comply on key technical points. In particular, the structure of the Pakistani economy and its dependence on unregulated sectors, makes it difficult to uphold the financial regulatory system required for technical Impact on Informal Economy The panellists stressed that an understanding of the economic implications of FATF decisions requires a focus on the unregulated sectors of the economy. Pakistan has a very large informal economy and there are both risks and rewards associated with its financial regulation. While any improvement that complies with FATF will be beneficial in the long run, the informal sector will suffer in the short term. U.S Position In the aftermath of the U.S Presidential Elections, the concern from Pakistan will still be about ensuring financial transparency and strengthening counter terrorism efforts, particularly if Pakistan wants to attract new foreign investors from the U.S. Moreover, Pakistan’s ability to borrow money from foreign investors will also be impacted if it fails to demonstrate compliance with FATF regulations. Unrealistic Timeline Although Pakistan has enacted over a dozen laws in order to align with the FATF 27-point action plan, four months seems like an unrealistic timeline to demonstrate implementation. Building capacity and streamlining mechanisms for effective implemen

You can download the e-reader friendly version here. Is Climate Change Going To Stifle Urban Growth? South Asia is home to some of the most vulnerable countries in the world when it comes to climate change. Tabadlab Policy Roundtable hosted a conversation with experts in urban infrastructure, climate change, geography, forestry, and agriculture from Pakistan, India and Afghanistan. The panelists discussd issues of governance and planning, urban transport, water management, and the awareness of climate change in South Asia. Featured Panelists Muhammad Rizwan is a Senior Transportation Engineer Marvi Mazhar is an Architect and Heritage Consultant Nasratullah Elham is a Climate Justice Activist, Founder and President LPV Dr. Gopa Samanta is a Professor of Geography at the University of Burdwan, India Discussion Summary Urban Planning in Coastal Cities With only 30 percent of India’s population living in cities, the urban growth rate is high. The government needs to plan ahead for the impact of climate change on coastal cities, particularly as cyclones, flooding, and lockdowns become a stark reality. Even in Karachi, reclamation has gone unchecked with no thought to rising water levels or flooding. Trusting the Experts South Asian countries are held back because projects are led by bureaucrats and not professionals, especially when it comes to the improvement of drainage systems. Cities, like Karachi, need to have qualified experts devise a clear framework to tackle the planning and implementation of complex environmental issues arising. Skilled overseas Pakistanis are also a great resource to utilize for expertise. Mapping the Neighbourhood Constant construction and cementization has led to no urban spaces being planned. Hence, the need for effective mapping and urban design is essential to plan spaces through an evidence-based approach. Cities should also plan walking and cycling paths for reduced vehicle use. They should provide good public transport systems, like buses, to reduce the use of motorcycles, and support shorter car trips. Autonomy in Urban Governance The 74th constitutional amendment in India has encouraged participation in urban governance. Yet funding is dependent on the state, meaning that central and local schemes mix up urban planning and infrastructure instead comes under specific departments rather than local governments. Cities also have no independent plans for tackling climate change, leaving that to the state. Climate Change Diplomacy Interdependence and globalization cause cities and countries to affect each other’s environment through shared coastal ecosystems, rivers or even just geographical proximity. The political relations in the South Asian region are affecting the development of sustainable energy solutions. Climate Awareness Cities like Kabul, which are develo

You can download the e-reader friendly version here. Is Climate Change Going To Stifle Urban Growth? South Asia is home to some of the most vulnerable countries in the world when it comes to climate change. Tabadlab Policy Roundtable hosted a conversation with experts in urban infrastructure, climate change, geography, forestry, and agriculture from Pakistan, India and Afghanistan. The panelists discussd issues of governance and planning, urban transport, water management, and the awareness of climate change in South Asia. Featured Panelists Muhammad Rizwan is a Senior Transportation Engineer Marvi Mazhar is an Architect and Heritage Consultant Nasratullah Elham is a Climate Justice Activist, Founder and President LPV Dr. Gopa Samanta is a Professor of Geography at the University of Burdwan, India Discussion Summary Urban Planning in Coastal Cities With only 30 percent of India’s population living in cities, the urban growth rate is high. The government needs to plan ahead for the impact of climate change on coastal cities, particularly as cyclones, flooding, and lockdowns become a stark reality. Even in Karachi, reclamation has gone unchecked with no thought to rising water levels or flooding. Trusting the Experts South Asian countries are held back because projects are led by bureaucrats and not professionals, especially when it comes to the improvement of drainage systems. Cities, like Karachi, need to have qualified experts devise a clear framework to tackle the planning and implementation of complex environmental issues arising. Skilled overseas Pakistanis are also a great resource to utilize for expertise. Mapping the Neighbourhood Constant construction and cementization has led to no urban spaces being planned. Hence, the need for effective mapping and urban design is essential to plan spaces through an evidence-based approach. Cities should also plan walking and cycling paths for reduced vehicle use. They should provide good public transport systems, like buses, to reduce the use of motorcycles, and support shorter car trips. Autonomy in Urban Governance The 74th constitutional amendment in India has encouraged participation in urban governance. Yet funding is dependent on the state, meaning that central and local schemes mix up urban planning and infrastructure instead comes under specific departments rather than local governments. Cities also have no independent plans for tackling climate change, leaving that to the state. Climate Change Diplomacy Interdependence and globalization cause cities and countries to affect each other’s environment through shared coastal ecosystems, rivers or even just geographical proximity. The political relations in the South Asian region are affecting the development of sustainable energy solutions. Climate Awareness Cities like Kabul, which are developing countries, are highly vulnerable to climate change but are, at least for now, more focused more on their economic progress and st

You can download the e-reader friendly version here. Is Climate Change Altering Megacities like Karachi? The exponential threat of the climate crisis primarily impacts urban life through the rise in diseases, urban flooding, droughts, and storms. Recent flooding in Karachi, a mega-city by any definition, has renewed concerns about its ability to cope with the effects of climate change. Tabadlab Policy Roundtable 14 speaks to a panel of regional experts on climate change, cities, and development to understand the ecological, sociological, and economic challenges that limit Karachi’s capacity to withstand natural disasters. Featured Panelists Dr. Erum Haider is an Assistant Professor in Politics and Environmental Studies at the College of Wooster Nazish Brohi is a Social Sector Consultant with core competencies in research, analysis, evaluation, policy formulation and program development Dr. Saleem H. Ali is the Climate Change Advisor on United Nations International Resource Panel Discussion Summary Infrastructure and Design Can we build resilient infrastructure that can withstand flooding and climate change? Most buildings in Karachi are made of brick and hence are less vulnerable to natural disasters, but there are major flaws in city infrastructure such as lack of drainage systems or proper roads. However, it is also clear that climate change will affect even the most well-designed cities. Politicization Does the politicization of infrastructure and design form a barrier to urban reform in Karachi? Discussions surrounding Karachi’s infrastructure often transform into intense debates about political responsibility that detract from the issue at hand. Our panelists also discuss how attempts to reclaim public land from the grips of privatization and land mafias have produced fatal consequences that deter stakeholders from working for Karachi. Understanding the Larger Ecosystem It is important to recognize that megacities like Karachi are part of a greater environmental and sociological ecosystem. Climate events are butterfly effects in which the melting of a glacier in north Pakistan can alter river flows in south Pakistan. Sociologically, Karachi also does not have a coastal culture despite being a coastal city. This has led to a current reality in which the majority of the population cannot swim, citizens are evicted from their property to allow land development, and forests are being erased to produce housing societies and thoroughfares. Population and Migration How does population growth and migration affect Karachi’s capacity to withstand the consequences of climate change? In 1947, Karachi’s population grew by about 2000% and has only increased because of rural to urban migration. Will a megacity that is already stretched for resources because of a growing population ever be able to survive climate change? Socioeconomic Divides Our roundtable participants discuss how citizens with greater access to wealth and resources have the ability to opt out of the public system and disengage from the political process. This leaves stakeholders with lesser means to entirely rely on the public system, thus creating a socioeconomic divide in the city. Therefore, issues like climate change often

You can download the e-reader friendly version here. School Reopening: Managing Risks in the Covid-19 Era The government’s decision to tentatively reopen schools on 15th September has spurred a nationwide debate on the safety of students, teachers and communities at large. While some experts believe that Pakistan should no longer sacrifice on learning outcomes, others argue that the reopening of schools – particularly if SOPs are not effectively implemented – can potentially trigger another surge in coronavirus cases. Tabadlab brought together education experts and policy leaders to analyse the costs and benefits attached to the crucial decision of reopening schools. Featured Panelists Mehnaz Akbar Aziz is a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan and Founding Director of Children’s Global Network Pakistan Dr. Ayesha Razzaque is an Education Researcher and Consultant, and currently works as a Technical Consultant and Senior Sector Specialist in Education at UNDP, Pakistan Dr. Faisal Bari is the Interim Dean at the School of Education (SOE) at LUMS. He also serves as the Director and Senior Research Fellow at IDEAS. Nadya Karim-Shaw is the Portfolio Manager for Pakistan’s Girls’ Education Challenge grants and formerly the Country Representative for World Learning in Pakistan. Maj (R) Aurangzeb Badini is the Deputy Commissioner of Quetta. Discussion Summary Coronavirus Trajectory Some stakeholders in Pakistan’s education system, including students, point at the declining coronavirus cases in the country as sufficient grounds for reopening schools. Others believe that Pakistan should brace itself for another surge in cases, which could potentially be triggered by the reopening of schools and would cause another inevitable disruption to the education cycle. Risk vs. Reward Should schools be reopened when the lives of students, teachers, staff and the community at large are still at risk due to the pandemic? The myth that children and young adults are immune to the coronavirus has been proven wrong. In these extraordinary circumstances, is it more important to sustain learning outcomes or curb the spread of the virus? Institutional Capacity The Covid-19 pandemic differs from other disasters such as earthquakes and floods as its impact spans the course of many months or years. Are teachers and support staff ready to implement SOPs in schools? How will district administrations monitor the implementation of these SOPs, and who will be held responsible if something goes wrong? Does the government have the capacity to monitor private schools as well as madrassas? Financial Constraints The reopening of schools amidst a pandemic will require the adoption of new SOPs, use of protective equipment and training of teachers and staff. Without significant funds, schools will struggle to carry out these measures. Is the government’s education budget sufficient to implement these reforms in public schools? With no financial package announced for private schools, will parents be forced to bear the cost? Unequal Opportunities The inaccessibility of EdTech for the majority of students in Pakistan is a compelling argument for the reopening of schools. However, even after schools reopen, factors such as the number of students per class, size of campus and availability of protective equipment will give some schools an advantage over others. How can policymakers ensure that the existing education divide is not exacerbated after the reopening? Learning Losses Covid-19 has brought about a new host of challenges for Pakistan’s educators. Due to the prolonged closure of schools, teachers will struggle to bring students up to speed. Coupled with a physically restrictive learning environment, is it realistic to assume that learning will be the same as it was before the pandemic? Our speakers discuss whether schools should consider relaxing student learning outcomes. Key Resources Ali Ansari, Mosharraf Zaidi, Nadya Karim-Shaw, Umar Nadeem (August 2020) – School Reopening: Managing Risks In The Covid-19 Era (function() { window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { listeners: [], forms: { on: function(evt, cb) { window.mc4wp.listeners.push( { event : evt, callback: cb } ); } } } })(); Want to Stay Updated? Sign up for Tabadlab's latest policy analysis, research products, and news. Email address Leave this field empty if you're human:

You can download the full version of this COVID-19 Response Deck here. Executive Summary Since the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic, school closures have disrupted vital aspects of the economic...

You can download the e-reader friendly version here. The Path to Universal Health Coverage Covid-19 has wreaked havoc on public health all around the world. It has not only presented...

Working Paper 05 Dr. Muhammad Ali Chaudhry, Ammara Khan Pakistan’s health system has struggled to effectively and efficiently serve the needs of an ever-growing population. Chronic challenges include prioritization, regulation,...

  You can download the e-reader friendly version here Pandemics, Conflict, and Geopolitics in China, India and Pakistan In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, border tensions between China &...

You can download the e-reader friendly version here. A Peace Process for the People? How can the ongoing peace agreement move beyond power-sharing to being inclusive for everyone in Afghanistan, particularly...

You can download the e-reader friendly version here. COVID-19: What challenges lie ahead? The public health emergency triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic has instigated an economic crisis across the world....

You can download the e-reader friendly version here. Public Health, Data, Discourse and Strategy in the Age of Covid-19 The Covid-19 pandemic is a jarring reminder of the growing inadequacy...

You can download the e-reader friendly version here. COVID-19: 18th Amendment And The Constitutional Turn A heavily politicised tussle between federal and provincial authorities over how to respond to COVID-19...

You can download an e-reader friendly version here. As various economies around the world begin to ease the containment or suppression measures introduced to counter Covid-19, the threat of new...

The Tabadlab COVID-19 Data Tracker includes national trends for COVID-19 testing, cases of infection, and fatalities, and an all-inclusive COVID-19 Heat Map. All data visualised in this Data Tracker has been taken from official government sources on a weekly basis (updated every Monday mid-day).  This chart, which will be updated every week, shows the daily number of tests carried out in Pakistan as the virus has progressed since March. From 471 tests in the second week of March to 291,447 tests in early May, the government continues to increase its testing capabilities as the pandemic takes its toll on the country. The data is taken from the Government of Pakistan’s COVID-19 Dashboard. (Last updated: May 17, 2020) !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");t&&(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); While the testing capability has increased, the number of cases are on an alarming rise. From 20 cases in the second week of March to 30,941 cases in early May, the numbers continue to increase. This chart, which will be updated every week, uses the data from the Government of Pakistan’s COVID-19 Dashboard to monitor the number of daily cases to understand the national trends over time (see below). (Last updated: May 17, 2020) !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");t&&(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); Coronavirus can be lethal. In order to figure out the death rate and its variation across the country, this chart, which will be updated every week, uses the data from the Government of Pakistan’s COVID-19 Dashboard to monitor the number of daily deaths from coronavirus. This daily breakdown of deaths will help understand the national trends over time (see below), and come up with actionable data-driven measures to lower the number. (Last updated: May 17, 2020) !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");t&&(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); COVID-19 Heat Map !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");t&&(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");t&&(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); National trends !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");t&&(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");t&&(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");t&&(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");t&&(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var e in a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var t=document.getElementById("datawrapper-chart-"+e)||document.querySelector("iframe[src*='"+e+"']");t&&(t.style.height=a.data["datawrapper-height"][e]+"px")}}))}(); Sources Testing data: Test Statistics http://covid.gov.pk/stats/pakistan Testing Labs + Capacity https://www.nih.org.pk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Testing-Capacity-Functional-Labs-COVID19-V1.1.pdf Worldwide Statistics https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/full-list-total-tests-for-covid-19 https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/full-list-covid-19-tests-per-day Sources for health statistics: Ventilators Procured http://www.ndma.gov.pk/Supply.php Testing Labs + Capacity https://www.nih.org.pk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Testing-Capacity-Functional-Labs-COVID19-V1.1.pdf Quarantine capacity https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/638487-statistics-about-corona-fighting-tools-in-pakistan-and-around-world Existing ventilators https://nation.com.pk/06-Apr-2020/over-3800-ventilators-available-in-country-chairman-ndma

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