Vanishing Heritage of Rawalpindi: The Vital Need to Preserve Legacy

Vanishing Heritage of Rawalpindi: The Vital Need to Preserve Legacy

By Webinar0 Comments

“Vanishing Heritage of Rawalpindi: The Vital Need to Preserve Legacy” is a webinar that sheds light on the rich historical and cultural heritage of Rawalpindi, Pakistan. It discusses the fading history of the city due to migration and neglect, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding its architectural remnants, including temples and gurdwaras. The webinar explores the potential for Rawalpindi to become a vibrant tourist destination through proper planning, preservation efforts, and public-private partnerships. Panellists share views on the significance of Rawalpindi’s military heritage and the need to promote its intangible heritage, stories, traditions, and folklore. The session aims to encourage awareness, collaboration, and pride in preserving Rawalpindi’s unique cultural legacy for future generations.

Intelligent Policy Effective Implementation

Fire Hazards and Firefighting in Urban and Forested Areas

By Webinar0 Comments
An overwhelming number of fire-related incidents in Pakistan have raised questions about the sustainability of Pakistan’s urban and forested areas. Disasters stemming from crop fires, forest fires, and buildings catching fire have become a routine occurrence. The devastating wildfire in the Koh-e-Sulayman Mountain range in Baluchistan’s Shirani District spread over more than 10000 acres of land and destroyed almost 40 percent of the trees, contributing to loss of biodiversity, innocent lives. And countless livelihoods. Subsequently, an acute shortage of fire protection infrastructure in Pakistan’s major urban centers poses a serious risk to socioeconomic activities and human life. According to research, around 165,000 people are killed by fires every year in Pakistan, and as a result, 164,00 are injured or lose the ability to work.
Unfortunately, the scale of this threat is not fully recognized in Pakistan and recent fire incidents have resulted in considerable economic and life losses. Approximately 80% of the structures in Karachi do not have emergency exits in buildings. Apart from the fire hazards caused by human activity, the prolonged heat wave and poor handling of climate change have also exacerbated the fire situation in the country. Recently, significant fires incidents have been reported in Islamabad, Swat Forest, Karachi, and Shangla District.
The Iqbal Institute of Policy Studies is conducting a webinar on the topic ‘Fire Hazards and Firefighting in Urban and Forested Areas’ to highlight the rising incidents of building fires in Pakistan and suggest possible strategies to counter such devastating events.

Intelligent Policy. Effective Implementation.

Tourism and Hotel Industry in Pakistan: Challenges and Way Forward

By Webinar0 Comments

With its rich natural and cultural resources, Pakistan has the potential to become one of the world’s leading tourist destinations. The South Asian country has already topped several international travel lists. According to World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the tourism industry of Pakistan can grow up to $39.8 billion within a decade. Pakistan experienced a sharp increase in tourist activity from 2014 to 2019 and the government has also announced ‘a Strategy to Help Mitigate the Socioeconomic Impacts of Covid-19 on Pakistan’s Tourism Sector’ in 2020. However, challenges in the social and services sector, policy design, safety and security, tourism infrastructure, and lack of an enabling environment have led to a weak competitive position for Pakistan.

Intelligent Policy. Effective Implementation.

From Property Dealing to Real Estate Science

By Webinar0 Comments

Pakistan’s real estate sector is an engine of economic growth for the national economy. However, a lack of regulation, lack of access to information, and malpractices are some of the main reasons why the sector has not reached its full potential. Pakistan can become a USD 1.5 to 2 trillion economy by 2030 if reforms and best practices are introduced in the real estate, construction, and allied sectors of the economy. The real estate market requires market innovation, technology adoption, and the development of trained and regulated human resources. Today, being established as the first real estate think tank of Pakistan, the Iqbal Institute of Policy Studies aims to bring to light some of the key developments in the real estate sector of Pakistan which have revolutionised real estate in a positive direction.

Senior Citizens – Life and Challenges

By Webinar0 Comments

It is estimated that the global old-age population will double by 2050, and as people age, their ability to cope with the rapidly changing socio-economic environment and the subsequent societal support required to maintain a healthy life diminishes. Pakistan is home to 9.4 million senior citizens, and much of the social infrastructure present in its modern cities do not facilitate senior citizens. They continue to struggle with the fast-paced urban life and the challenges it presents on a day-to-day basis. There is a need to make cities inclusive for people of all ages and capabilities. It is important to reintegrate senior citizens in modern urban settings to create a healthy, more inclusive, and sustainable society.

Construction Waste Optimisation

By Webinar0 Comments
The construction industry is the world’s largest consumer of raw materials and natural resources and accounts for 25-40% of global carbon emissions. Yet very little gets reused or recycled. With urban areas growing in population, construction will continue to have a significant impact on the way the world’s resources are used. According to different estimates, 30% of the construction material is wasted on site, less than a third of all construction and demolition waste is recovered and reused. Therefore, in order to create a sustainable construction industry with minimal impact on the environment, the industry needs to minimize waste creation and maximize waste recycling.
Considering the state of Pakistan’s construction waste management, the Iqbal Institute of Policy Studies (IIPS) conducted a webinar titled, “Construction waste optimization in Pakistan”. The webinar invited eminent speakers from the construction sector and academia to deliberate on the topic with the intent of devising possible ways to optimize the recycling and reuse of construction waste in the country.

Significance of Professional Education and Specialist Training in the Real Estate Sector

By Webinar0 Comments

Pakistan is the fifth most populous country in the world. The youth from age 15-30 forms a major part of the national population. Unfortunately, government statistics on the young labour force show that 80% of the youth lack proper education and skills. Pakistan’s current economic position requires its youth to have a developed skill set that will equip them to deal with the fast-evolving global and national market trends. Unfortunately, the cost of training is unaffordable in the private sector and limited in scope in the public sector. Therefore, most of the youth have low employability and are unable to start businesses of their own. Iqbal Institute of Policy Studies is conducting an online seminar titled, “Significance of skill development for people’s empowerment and national development.” The webinar will host eminent speakers from the public and private sectors to deliberate on this important issue.

Significance of Professional Education and Specialist Training in the Real Estate Sector

By Webinar0 Comments
The real estate sector of Pakistan has become a lucrative investment avenue for local and overseas investors. However, a lack of professionalism and academic research has damaged the outlook of the real estate industry. The real estate sector in Pakistan is also well behind in technology adoption. Most of these problems are a direct result of a lack of formal education in the sector.
IIPS has organised a webinar titled “Significance of professional education and specialist training in the real estate sector”. Our webinar will dilate on the concept of real estate education and its significance in creating a more advanced real estate sector. The aim of this webinar will be served well if we are able to highlight the important role of formal education and specialised training in transforming the real estate landscape and suggest a way forward for Pakistan.

Roshan Apna Ghar : A Home, Back Home

By Webinar0 Comments

Roshan Apna Ghar is an initiative of the State Bank of Pakistan for non-resident Pakistanis to acquire properties in their home country. Under the scheme, overseas Pakistanis can complete their transactions remotely and digitally with their investment being fully repatriable. The non-resident Pakistanis can now purchase or obtain financing for houses in Pakistan through the Roshan Digital Account.

The Roshan Apna Ghar scheme will open numerous opportunities for real estate and its allied industries like construction and housing. Considering the potential of this new scheme, the Iqbal Institute of Policy Studies (IIPS) has organised a webinar titled “Roshan Apna Ghar: A home, back home.” The webinar will invite eminent speakers from the real estate and the banking sector to discuss the opportunities of this new scheme.

The Role of Incubation Centres in Promoting Entrepreneurship in Pakistan

By Webinar0 Comments

A business incubator is designed to create an environment in which businesses can grow by providing them with the necessary innovation, technology, and finances. Millions of startups have developed into million-dollar companies with the help of incubators. Companies like Uber and Airbnb started out in business incubators. Today, these companies are worth billions of dollars. Pakistan has a relatively new startup culture. Despite a lack of financial and technological resources, Pakistani startups have shown remarkable results. The webinar will dilate on the concept of business incubation centers and their significance in creating a business conducive environment in the country. The aim of this webinar will be served well if we are able to highlight the important role of such centers in transforming the business landscape and suggest a way forward for Pakistan. Watch the live webinar here