Who advises the PM?

We need advice from all business leaders, leading scientific minds irrespective of political, religious affiliations.

In the 1930s, President Franklin D Roosevelt of the US established what he termed the President’s Science Advisory Committee. The idea was simple: the US president wanted to get rigorous advice on matters of science and technology that were relevant for the US society at large. This was different than the science or technology adviser that the presidents have had for a long time. The idea of forming a committee, of leading thinkers and scientists, from various disciplines and political stripes has paid off well and served many presidents. During the sputnik era, the council advised presidents on the best course of action and in many ways, shaped the strategy for reaching the next frontiers in science, ensuring leadership in technology and above all, addressing issues of science and technology that shaped the future of the US. In modern times, this committee has been renamed as the President’s Council of Advisers on Science and Technology and has played a role in advising the government on topics ranging from energy to climate change to the human genome project. Recent presidents have had Nobel laureates, leaders of technology firms (such as Google, Microsoft and Honeywell) and university presidents serve on this committee. In many cases, the committee has disagreed with the government on various policies and given recommendations that go against the government’s political agenda.

Now let’s come to Pakistan. While the list of challenges facing Pakistan is long and at times depressing, many of them concern national policy, or its lack thereof, in matters of science and technology. In a system of government where the head of a ministry is someone with absolutely no domain expertise and at times little education, and a bureaucratic system that is headed by anyone but scientists, the need for field expertise cannot be overstated. One may argue that presidents and prime ministers (PM) in the recent past have had science and technology advisers. While that is indeed true, it is important to note that a committee that is not employed by the government is more likely to give unbiased and concrete advice than someone who is part of the PM’s cabinet or a government employee. It is also important to emphasise the need for a group of leaders from all sectors that are influenced by science and technology, who represent both the fundamental and applied sciences, as well as the business sector. Perhaps, the most important factor to consider is that we need advice from all business leaders and leading scientific minds irrespective of their political, religious or provincial affiliations. After all, no one group has a monopoly over good ideas!

Despite what we see on TV, Pakistan’s current challenges are not just limited to security challenges, though solving that issue is of paramount importance. The energy crisis, the continuous decline of our health sector, the emerging problem of substandard medicines, the infrastructure that is crumbling and in urgent need of upgrade and above all, the need to create value through innovation, continue to stifle economic progress. An advisory group that is free, impartial and independent, and is able to make recommendations that are in the public domain can start to bring apolitical voices to making recommendations for solving these long-standing issues. It is not meant to replace anyone in the planning commission or change the role of the federal adviser on science, rather it is meant to augment existing policies and advise on policies for the future.

In addition to the obvious outcomes in terms of policy, there is a tremendous opportunity for an unintended positive outcome from the PM’s advisory council on science and technology. In an era where divisions along ethnic, religious and political lines continue to make us deeply suspicious of one another, a group of well regarded scientific scholars and business leaders can start the process of trust. Perhaps, it will knock some sense in all of us and remind us that we are in this together, and a better Pakistan requires engagement from our best and brightest, irrespective of ethnicity, personal beliefs or political leanings.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 4^th,  2014.

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