Pre Budget Discussions at Lahore School of Economics
May 31, 2010
Students of Lahore School of Economics discussed the present fiscal situation in Pakistan during a pre budget discussion that was held at the School on May 31, 2010. The discussion focused on revenue generation and collection and expenditure on health, education and security. The pre budget discussion was organized at the Lahore School Main Campus in cooperation with Dawn News.
[Images Islam ud Din]
Labels: Budget, Pakistan Economy
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 5/31/2010 01:50:00 PM,
Lahore School Faculty Training Workshop
May 17, 2010
[Image by Islam ud Din]
Second Lahore School of Economics Faculty Training Workshop was held on May 8 and 15, 2010.Labels: Faculty Development
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 5/17/2010 02:52:00 PM,
Pakistan: Energy Sector Issues: Energy Efficiency and Energy Environmental Links
May 08, 2010
Tariq Husain
Abstract: This paper analyzes Pakistan’s energy sector issues and highlights : (i) the importance of the link between energy and the environment ; and (ii) the central importance of energy efficiency for the high return demand side solutions for meeting the nation’s energy needs. The paper argues that energy planning should integrate the external cost of energy use in deciding about the composition of supply: coal; oil ; gas; hydro; renewable; nuclear; solar.
Currently , external cost of energy does not play a significant role in energy policy deliberations.
Abstract: This paper analyzes Pakistan’s energy sector issues and highlights : (i) the importance of the link between energy and the environment ; and (ii) the central importance of energy efficiency for the high return demand side solutions for meeting the nation’s energy needs. The paper argues that energy planning should integrate the external cost of energy use in deciding about the composition of supply: coal; oil ; gas; hydro; renewable; nuclear; solar.
Currently , external cost of energy does not play a significant role in energy policy deliberations.
The paper utilizes external cost estimates made by the European Commission for Europe, and the US National Academy of Sciences for the US to derive a Total cost (External + internal) ranking of primary energy sources for Pakistan. This estimate is the low end of the cost spectrum because classic pollutants — sulfur dioxide, Nitrogen oxides, carbon mono oxide - in Pakistan are significantly higher than in Europe or the US.
The paper discusses the experiences of China and OECD countries in increasing energy wide efficiency.The lessons are used to make recommendations for increasing energy efficiency in Pakistan. A central lesson coming out of the analysis is that Pakistan will have to significantly increase its energy related Research and Development (R&D) expenditures in order to adequately address its energy sector issues. A quadrupling from 0.25 % of GDP is recommended over a decade.
Labels: Annual Conference, CREB, Pakistan Economy
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 5/08/2010 11:36:00 AM,
Indus Basin Water Management Challenges and Strategies
May 05, 2010
Arif Nadeem
Abstract:
The major water structural challenges currently facing the IBIS are inadequate storage capacity, highly seasonally variable river flows, increasing water shortages during whole Rabi crop-season and sowing-time during Kharif crop-season, inadequate transfer capacity of link canals, and extremely long lead times from reservoirs to the farmers’ fields causes large conveyance losses. The major management problems are poor operation, maintenance and monitoring of the system causing large water leakages, untitled water rights creating tension among regions and farmers, supply rather than demand driven system which not only creates inequitable distribution (especially to tail-end farmers) but also inefficient water use, and lack of holistic approach for the efficient utilization of water resources available from both surface and underground.
In the face of stagnant or even declining water storage capacity of dams, the use of groundwater has tremendously increased facing an increasing danger of depletion, quality deterioration, and serious environmental consequences. For the purpose of conjunctive use of canal and groundwater, the required planning and management at the command area-level is lacking. The emerging impacts of climate changes would add a new dimension to these challenges.
In this backdrop, more proactive and integrated planning of the IBIS system is required, comprehensive strategies are to be evolved, and significant investments have to be generated for holistic water resources management of the Pakistan’s IBIS. The additional water should come mainly from improved efficiency of the canal delivery system, focusing on supplying water as and when needed, specifying water entitlements rather than generalized water rights, gearing water towards regions and crops having the highest productivity per unit of water, devise technologies for the efficient delivery and use of scarce water, and plan conjunctive use of surface and groundwater. The major emphasis should be to change the software of the irrigation infrastructure, rather than investment on changing or expanding the hardware. For this purpose, following policy reforms should be considered:
- Generate and allocate more financial resources to improve the management and maintenance of the IBIS to ensure its long-term physical and financial sustainability;
- Develop appropriate water pricing mechanism for both canal and groundwater;
Read more »
Labels: CREB, Pakistan Economy
posted by S A J Shirazi @ 5/05/2010 12:45:00 PM,
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