One of the key challenges for P@SHA was to fine-tune their recommendations for the many diverse sectors that make up the information technology industry. With the help of a CIPE grant, P@SHA organized several focus group meetings and input from participants was carefully analyzed and incorporated into draft recommendations for the new law.
It was encouraging to see that P@SHA was able to bring both the Ministry of Information Technology and the Pakistan Software Export Board, two important government agencies, to agreement on these recommendations. Both organizations placed the draft of National ICT Policy on their websites for further comments, which will be incorporated in the final document, expected to be rolled out in a month’s time.

The draft policy covers six basic social pillars such as the economy, culture, human resources, infrastructure, legislative reforms, and regional integration. Additionally, the document covers seven thematic focus areas. These are education, agriculture, health and disaster management, governance, empowerment (gender perspective), and multilingualism and localization of content.
In the next stage, P@SHA will engage parliamentarians in this policy debate and build their capacity to understand the technicalities of this important legislation.

This year, according to official estimates from the Ministry of Finance, eight major PSEs received more than US $3.5 billion in support from the federal government, which is higher than the federal component of Pakistan’s development budget. According to the Ministry of Finance, “Inefficient public sector enterprises are draining fiscal resources and choking the economy.”

Understanding the political sensitivity of the issue, CIPE’s Pakistan team has taken a subtle approach to the reform of PSEs, with patient efforts aimed at generating a debate on the importance of a introducing a code of corporate governance for PSEs. These efforts began to yield results when, on CIPE’s advice, the Ministry of Finance constituted a taskforce in October 2011, comprising a wide range of stakeholders, including relevant ministries with ownership of PSEs, private sector representatives, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), the Pakistan Institute of Corporate Governance, and others. The taskforce became the driving force behind a productive debate. As a result of several meetings and a consultative process, on March, 2012 the SECP released new draft regulations for PSEs.

The draft regulations are now available on the SECP’s website for review and comment

In order to generate further public debate, and to build awareness about corporate governance of state-owned enterprises, CIPE also assisted the taskforce in organizing  two major roundtable on governance of PSEs, in Karachi and Islamabad.  This event received an overwhelming response, with over 200 participants from various PSEs attending. Moreover, a subject which, as mentioned, was previously considered taboo in Pakistan

To be effective organizations that serve their members professionally and act as advocates for policy change, Pakistani business associations need to have strong governance systems and policies in place. CIPE’s work in the area of Chambers and sectoral trade association capacity building has been well recognized in Pakistan. In addition to the Chamber President’s Conference, the Annual Secretary General’s Conference is one of CIPE’s flagship events.

Participants at the latest conference were taken a step further with a focus on governance systems, particularly policy advocacy, financial management and fraud prevention, and legal compliance. These themes were selected based on CIPE Pakistan learning that business associations are still struggling to adapt these policies, particularly those related to financial management, human resource and advocacy.

This year, participants were engaged in discussion on the repercussions of not having these governing documents, particularly in case of fraud. They were then taken through the process of creating an effective accounting manual, a whistle blower policy, and an HR manual.

Feedback revealed that all participants agreed to develop and adapt policy manuals within the next couple of months and get these documents endorsed immediately after their next elections in September of this year.

On January 30-31, 2012, in partnership with the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, CIPE organized the fourth Annual All-Pakistan Chamber Presidents’ Conference for nearly 40 participants, representing 25 chambers of commerce from across the country. The most important feature of this conference was the presence of Senator Haji Ghulam Ali, President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry, an umbrella body for all business associations in Pakistan, which is represented at the conference for the first time.

The momentum for policy reform advocacy developed over the past three conferences received a further boost in the recent conference when chamber presidents unanimously resolved not to support any political party that does not provide a solid and implementable economic revival plan before the next general elections, which are due towards the end of 2012.

This year, the Bhurban Declaration advocates for energy security and tax reforms, anticorruption measures, Most Favored Nation trading status for India, and enacting the Code of Corporate Governance for State Owned Enterprises.

Twenty participants belonging to second-tier management (Deputy and Assistant Secretary Level) participated. Most of them were new and attending this workshop for the first time. Encouragingly, 45% of the participants were female, showing the impact of CIPE Pakistan’s efforts in advocating women’s empowerment for several years across different platforms.

 Workshop trainers focused on the following key areas:

•  Chamber Management
• Unleashing the Power of Social Media
• Self help
• Improving Secretariat Efficiency

Most of the participants believed that this workshop trained them to embrace business challenges in tactful and educated ways. They felt that such activities should be organized on a regular basis so as to provide more networking and learning opportunities.

They also indicated that they are now better informed to shape smoother working relationships with secretaries general and elected office holders. Participants found themselves more open to improvise in different facets of organizational behavior. They were highly committed to adjusting their priorities, setting realistic objectives, and working with trust and mutual understanding in the belief that this will make working environment of the chamber/association more encouraging for progress, growth and productivity. They are highly motivated to bring about positive changes in their direction-setting.

 Most of the participants now understand the efficacy of social media as an important tool for networking, research, easy access to the members, and staying aware and informed of trends in the sector. Many are committed to creating accounts and fan pages for their chambers and associations on Facebook, which is used by millions of people in Pakistan.

 Shahid Mehmood (Assistant Secretary, Pakistan Petroleum Exploration and Production Companies Association) said, “Going in to the workshop I was very skeptical about the potential benefits and outcomes of the workshop – what a big surprise it was! I enjoyed the workshop and was amazed at quality of the content.”

 “I came away with many ideas we plan to put into action within our system,” he added. “I believe we can now take our systems well into the 21st century. If I am asked to share the most important take away from the workshop, it would be the personal humility of all the trainers plus a fierce resolve and will to build capacity”.

Overall, participants specifically showed full confidence with the expectations set out of this workshop and a strong sense of satisfaction about the opportunity to upgrade their knowledge and skills set, take advantage of networking opportunities, establish a clearer vision, and open themselves to new experiences.