Muhmmad Muqeem Islam
Dr. Muqeem ul Islam
Director General Kashmir Institute of Management , Muzaffarabad, Azad Jamun & Kashmir, Pakistan muqeemz@gmail.com , +92 343 5090648
Dr. Muqeem ul Islam is the former Chief Instructor, Associate Professor, Public Policy expert and Director at NIPA, Peshawar. He is a distinguished academic and policy expert with over 28 years of experience in teaching, research, and public administration training. Holding a Ph.D. in Public
Policy and Governance from the National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad, he specializes in Public Policy, Public Admiration, Institutional Economics and Economic Development. His doctoral dissertation, titled “Impact of Institutional Quality and Governance on Structural Change and Economic Development: A Cross-Country Analysis Using Extreme Bound Regressions”, involved an extensive econometric study using advanced programming techniques to conduct 36,000 regressions, demonstrating his command of cutting-edge quantitative methods. Dr. Muqeem is also a Fellow of the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford, UK, where he studied Public Policy and Economics. Additionally, he has completed a Fellowship in Structural Adjustment Programmes from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Washington, D.C., and holds an MPhil in Development Economics and MSc in Economics from the International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI). His education, shaped by diverse international perspectives, includes learning from esteemed faculty from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, which honed his proficiency in the Arabic language and enriched his global outlook. Academic Contributions Dr. Muqeem has an extensive teaching portfolio at the graduate level, having taught and supervised master's and doctoral students in Public Policy, Public Administration, and Economics. He has also authored 21 research papers on topics ranging from governance to economic development and published three books. As the founding editor of the Khyber Journal of Public Policy, he has contributed significantly to advancing research output at the National School of Public Policy (NSPP), Peshawar. Graduate Courses Taught He has served intermittently at NIPA, NSPP, Peshawar Campus for 19 years. Dr. Muqeem has designed and taught graduate-level courses at NIPA, NSPP, and the School of Economics at IIUI while serving as an Assistant Professor (3years).
These courses include:
Fundamentals of Public Policy & Administration
Quantitative Methods for Policy Analysis
Policy Impact Analysis and Evaluation
Microeconomics and Macroeconomics for Public Policy
Evidence-Based Decision Making in Public Policy
Strategic Planning and Management Practices
Negotiation Skills and Conflict Management
Institutional Economics, Governance, Public Policy and Development
Contemporary Issues in Public Policy & Administration
Phone: +92 343 5090648
Address: Academy Campus University Town, Peshawar, Pakistan
Director General Kashmir Institute of Management , Muzaffarabad, Azad Jamun & Kashmir, Pakistan muqeemz@gmail.com , +92 343 5090648
Dr. Muqeem ul Islam is the former Chief Instructor, Associate Professor, Public Policy expert and Director at NIPA, Peshawar. He is a distinguished academic and policy expert with over 28 years of experience in teaching, research, and public administration training. Holding a Ph.D. in Public
Policy and Governance from the National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad, he specializes in Public Policy, Public Admiration, Institutional Economics and Economic Development. His doctoral dissertation, titled “Impact of Institutional Quality and Governance on Structural Change and Economic Development: A Cross-Country Analysis Using Extreme Bound Regressions”, involved an extensive econometric study using advanced programming techniques to conduct 36,000 regressions, demonstrating his command of cutting-edge quantitative methods. Dr. Muqeem is also a Fellow of the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford, UK, where he studied Public Policy and Economics. Additionally, he has completed a Fellowship in Structural Adjustment Programmes from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Washington, D.C., and holds an MPhil in Development Economics and MSc in Economics from the International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI). His education, shaped by diverse international perspectives, includes learning from esteemed faculty from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, which honed his proficiency in the Arabic language and enriched his global outlook. Academic Contributions Dr. Muqeem has an extensive teaching portfolio at the graduate level, having taught and supervised master's and doctoral students in Public Policy, Public Administration, and Economics. He has also authored 21 research papers on topics ranging from governance to economic development and published three books. As the founding editor of the Khyber Journal of Public Policy, he has contributed significantly to advancing research output at the National School of Public Policy (NSPP), Peshawar. Graduate Courses Taught He has served intermittently at NIPA, NSPP, Peshawar Campus for 19 years. Dr. Muqeem has designed and taught graduate-level courses at NIPA, NSPP, and the School of Economics at IIUI while serving as an Assistant Professor (3years).
These courses include:
Fundamentals of Public Policy & Administration
Quantitative Methods for Policy Analysis
Policy Impact Analysis and Evaluation
Microeconomics and Macroeconomics for Public Policy
Evidence-Based Decision Making in Public Policy
Strategic Planning and Management Practices
Negotiation Skills and Conflict Management
Institutional Economics, Governance, Public Policy and Development
Contemporary Issues in Public Policy & Administration
Phone: +92 343 5090648
Address: Academy Campus University Town, Peshawar, Pakistan
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Papers by Muhmmad Muqeem Islam
within Pakistan’s energy sector, particularly its role in
supporting industrial development. The sector is
hindered by inefficiency, fragmented policies, and
limited renewable energy investment. The paper
evaluates Pakistan’s energy capacity, governance, and
institutional frameworks, utilizing SWOT analysis and
global case studies to identify key reform areas. Key
findings reveal that rising energy costs and reliance on
fossil fuels impede industrial growth, while inadequate
renewable infrastructure exacerbates these issues. The
study offers policy recommendations such as creating
an independent electricity market, renegotiating power
agreements, and promoting energy efficiency.
Furthermore, the paper highlights the need to
operationalize Special Economic Zones (SEZs),
upgrade transmission lines, and adopt sustainable
energy practices. These reforms aim to lower costs,
improve sector efficiency, and ensure long-term
industrial growth.
economy, driving GDP, industrial growth, and foreign
exchange revenues. However, Pakistan’s export
performance faces significant challenges, including
over-reliance on textiles, insufficient diversification,
and structural inefficiencies. This paper explores the
factors limiting growth, such as regulatory bottlenecks,
poor infrastructure, and limited value addition. It
identifies promising sectors like IT, pharmaceuticals,
and agriculture-based products, which could boost
export revenues if developed effectively. To overcome
these challenges, a comprehensive policy framework
focused on export diversification, infrastructure
improvement, and market expansion is necessary. The
paper offers actionable recommendations, drawing on
international best practices, to modernize Pakistan’s
export sector, enhance competitiveness, and foster
sustainable economic growth. The findings highlight
the importance of strategic interventions to transform
the sector into a key driver of economic development.
Pakistan's economy, contributing over 60% to the
country's exports and 8.5% to its GDP. Despite its
potential, the sector faces numerous challenges,
including outdated machinery, high energy costs,
limited diversification into man-made fibers (MMF),
and competition from regional players. The sector's
reliance on cotton-based products limits its ability to
capitalize on global shifts toward MMF products.
Additionally, infrastructure deficits, such as
inadequate logistics and testing facilities, hinder
growth. The paper explores the historical evolution of
Pakistan’s textile industry, from its early growth to its
current state, highlighting key issues such as high
tariffs, inefficient energy systems, and liquidity
shortages. The study concludes with several
recommendations, including technological upgrades,
energy efficiency measures, diversification into MMF,
regulatory reforms, workforce skill development, and
market diversification. These strategies aim to enhance
the sector's global competitiveness and sustainable
growth.
civilizations and continues to shape modern economies
through high-tech advancements. Reverse
engineering—a process of deconstructing and
enhancing technologies—has been instrumental in
industrial growth worldwide, notably in countries like
China and Japan. Pakistan’s potential in leveraging
reverse engineering remains underutilized, hindered by
outdated infrastructure, inadequate R&D investments,
weak institutional frameworks, and fragmented
policies. Initiatives like STZs and the Digital Pakistan
Policy offer promise but suffer from misaligned
execution. This study underscores the transformative
potential of reverse engineering in Pakistan’s defense,
agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy
sectors. By fostering academia-industry-government
collaboration, improving infrastructure, and adopting
global best practices, Pakistan can bridge its
technological gaps, enhance export competitiveness,
and reduce its import dependency. A robust reverse
engineering strategy will catalyze innovation,
strengthen industrial output, and pave the way for
long-term economic sustainability and self-reliance.
mechanized agriculture and smart agricultural
techniques in addressing Pakistan’s agricultural
challenges. With agriculture contributing 23% to GDP
and employing 38% of the labor force, the sector
remains constrained by outdated practices, fragmented
policies, and limited access to modern technologies.
Historical trends reveal gradual progress from land
reforms and the Green Revolution to recent initiatives
focusing on climate-resilient and digital agriculture.
Analytical frameworks highlight key gaps, including
inadequate infrastructure, lack of cohesive policies, and
weak stakeholder coordination, while emphasizing
opportunities for public-private partnerships, capacity
building, and policy reforms. Mechanized and smart
agriculture offer significant potential to enhance
productivity, sustainability, and industrial
development. The proposed actionable recommendations
aim to foster collaboration, improve financing, and
integrate advanced technologies, ensuring measurable
progress through a strategic log frame.
policies, regulations, practices, and welfare activities in
Pakistan, focusing on their impact on industrial
development and social protection. While Pakistan’s
legal framework provides a foundation for safeguarding
labour rights, enforcement challenges, inclusivity, and
alignment with international standards remain
significant. The devolution of labour matters under the
18th Amendment has fragmented provincial laws,
exacerbating disparities in governance, enforcement,
and coverage. Key issues include institutional
weaknesses, limited social protection for informal sector
workers, gender disparities, and the prevalence of
bonded and child labour. The paper utilizes the
Blavatnik School of Government’s Oxford Index of
Public Administration Framework to identify gaps and
draws comparative insights from global approaches,
including Malaysia, India, Brazil, and the UK. It
suggests actionable solutions, such as a unified
national labour policy, law alignment, and
strengthening institutional capacity to address
systemic deficiencies and promote equitable industrial
growth.
role in the country's economic development by
contributing significantly to GDP, generating
employment, and facilitating technological transfer.
Comprising manufacturing and assembling companies
involved in producing passenger cars, motorcycles, and
other vehicles, the sector also includes the vital auto
spare parts industry. Despite its importance, the
industry faces several challenges such as outdated
infrastructure, regulatory inefficiencies, and limited
technological advancement. This paper provides a
historical overview of Pakistan's automobile sector,
highlighting key periods of development, including the
nationalization era and the deregulation era, which
spurred growth in production. Furthermore, the paper
examines the market structure, dominated by a few
major players, and explores the barriers to entry for
new companies. The study concludes by emphasizing
the need for a comprehensive, integrated policy
framework that promotes innovation, enhances
infrastructure, and encourages collaboration among
stakeholders to ensure the sustainable growth of
Pakistan's automobile industry.
in the country's economic growth and digital
transformation. The IT industry, supported by
government initiatives like tax incentives, foreign
investment facilitation, and technology collaborations,
has significantly expanded, with projected revenues of
$20 billion by 2025. Similarly, the freelancing sector has
positioned Pakistan among the global leaders, with 42%
of freelancers contributing to software development.
Despite these advancements, challenges such as
inadequate infrastructure, energy shortages, and
regulatory barriers hinder further growth. Strategic
reforms are imperative, including enhancing
cybersecurity, simplifying taxation, and introducing
global payment gateways. Investments in reliable
infrastructure, inclusive skill development programs
like Digi Skills, and fostering innovation can unlock the
sector's full potential. By addressing these issues,
Pakistan can capitalize on its demographic advantage,
becoming a global leader in the digital economy. This
analysis underscores the sectors' potential and
highlights reforms necessary for sustainable growth.
and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)
policies, emphasizing their effectiveness and impact on
employment and industry. Despite policy reforms,
challenges persist, including outdated curricula, weak
industry linkages, and limited quality training access.
Misalignment between training programs and labor
market demands leads to a skills mismatch and youth
unemployment. Policies like the National Skills
Strategy and public-private initiatives attempt to
address these issues but suffer from fragmented
implementation and limited scalability. Integration of
digital skills, green technologies, and entrepreneurship
remains insufficient to meet evolving market demands.
Through SWOT, EETH, PESTEL, and GAP analyses,
the study identifies gaps and recommends fostering
industry-academia linkages, enhancing governance,
improving funding mechanisms, and leveraging
technology to strengthen TVET. Holistic reforms are
urgently needed to align TVET with local and global
industrial demands, ensuring sustainable economic and
industrial growth in Pakistan.
gender inequality, and climate change in Pakistan,
focusing on the severe impacts of the 2022 floods and
their disproportionate effects on marginalized groups,
especially women. Despite Pakistan’s minimal
contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions, the
country ranks among the most vulnerable to climate
change. The study examines the importance of Gender
Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) and cultural
engagement in climate mitigation and adaptation
strategies, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
province. The paper highlights the challenges and
potential in existing legal frameworks and institutional
capacities and underscores the need for an integrated
approach that incorporates gender-responsive policies,
community engagement, and innovative solutions. By
enhancing policy coherence, fostering inter-agency
collaboration, and addressing cultural barriers,
Pakistan can strengthen its climate resilience while
promoting social inclusion.
vulnerability of Pakistan to climate-related disasters,
particularly floods, as highlighted by the Global
Climate Risk Index 2019. As one of the most
susceptible nations to climate change, Pakistan has
experienced devastating floods that have resulted in
substantial loss of life and property, exacerbating
socioeconomic vulnerabilities and jeopardizing national
development. The analysis underscores the urgent need
for improvements in disaster preparedness, risk
assessment, and climate adaptation measures. It
emphasizes the necessity for a cohesive legal framework,
enhanced collaboration among various governmental
levels, and increased budget allocations for disaster
management institutions. Furthermore, the paper
advocates for investment in modern telecommunication
infrastructure and advanced early warning systems to
improve disaster response capabilities. By addressing
these critical areas, Pakistan can enhance its resilience
to climate-induced calamities and safeguard vulnerable
populations against future risks.
of implementing a Circular Economy (CE) for
Sustainable Waste Management (SWM) in Pakistan,
with a particular focus on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
Although developed countries have transitioned
towards CE, developing nations like Pakistan face
technological, human resource, institutional, and
financial limitations. Current waste management
policies in Pakistan focus primarily on hazardous waste
disposal, neglecting broader CE principles such as
resource recovery, recycling, and reuse. The study
critically examines the legal frameworks, such as the
Pakistan Environmental Protection Act, 1997, and the
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Climate Policy 2022, revealing
gaps in policy enforcement and regulatory capacity.
Through a thorough analysis, the paper presents policy
and implementation-level recommendations, including
regulatory amendments, incentives for industries, and
capacity building. The findings underscore the
importance of public-private partnerships (PPP),
integration of the informal waste sector, and
technological upgrades in modern recycling facilities.
growth in Pakistan amidst the challenges posed by
climate change, including urban flooding, heat, and
rising energy demands. While developed nations are
exploring advanced theoretical frameworks and policies
for sustainable urbanization, Pakistan grapples with
severe environmental vulnerabilities exacerbated by
inadequate land-use planning and ineffective climate
strategies. Focusing on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa—a
region particularly susceptible to climate hazards—this
study advocates for the implementation of climateadaptive
infrastructure as a solution to mitigate the
impacts of climate change. The paper highlights
Pakistan’s legislative efforts, including the Pakistan
Climate Change Act of 2017, and critiques the gaps
between policy and actionable outcomes. Through a
review of current urban planning initiatives and
recommendations for improved governance and
stakeholder engagement, the study underscores the
necessity for context-specific strategies and the
integration of green building codes. Ultimately, the
findings suggest that addressing institutional
limitations and enhancing resource allocation are vital
for transitioning towards a resilient and sustainable
urban framework in Pakistan.