Human Resource Development For Economic Growth

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

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Submitted by

AMER ALTAF

MBA 2012-2014

Submitted to

Prof. Dr OZCAN ERTUNA

CERTIFICATE

A seminar paper submitted to the faculty of Istanbul Aydin University in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the university curriculum for MBA.

2. I certify that the contents reflect my personal views. To accomplish the objectives of this seminar paper, a systematic content analysis of the literature has been undertaken, using secondary data which includes books, journal articles, public documents, dissertations, web sources and reviews.

3. This research is based on qualitative study and after conducting detailed literature survey, the available information was categorized according to the areas as mentioned in the scope.

(AMER ALTAF)

Student

MBA 2012-2014

Istanbul Aydin University,

April, 2013 Istanbul, Turkey

THEME

Perhaps the greatest test for human society as it confronts the 21st century is how to use "the power of population" i.e. human resource of a nation in a most efficient and effective way to meet the demands thrown up by the "power of technology" i.e. technological advancements in all fields in this globalized era. Underdeveloped human resource in developing countries in large number is a great hindrance in the socio-economic development of those countries. Human resource combined with financial and material resources forms one of the most vital factors to accelerate socio-economic development. Unfortunately, Pakistan has not given much importance to this vital factor. High growth of population, illiteracy, health problem, unskilled labour force with limited available physical resources, lack of women empowerment etc. has further compounded this problem.

This paper will examine the human resource conditions in Pakistan, highlight the underlying challenges and recommend a viable strategic agenda for development and effective utilization of the human capital towards sustainable socio-economic development and national security.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

S/No

Contents

Page No

1.

Certificate

2

2.

Theme

3

6.

Table of Contents

4

7.

Chapter 1 - Introduction

5 - 8

8.

Chapter 2 – Models of Different Countries

9 - 12

9.

Chapter 3 – Challenges for Pakistan

13 - 18

10.

Chapter 4 – Analysis

19 - 21

11.

Chapter 5 – Way Forward

22 - 28

12.

Conclusion

29 - 30

13.

Annexes

CHAPTER – 1

INTRODUCTION

1. Human Resource Development (HRD) and economic growth go side by side. Human element cannot be neglected in the process of development activity. Investment in HRD has been the major source of growth in the developed countries, whereas, the inattention to the same in the developing countries has done little to extend the capacity of their people to meet the challenge of accelerated development. The characteristics of economic backwardness is manifested in several forms including low labour efficiency, limited specialization in occupation, deficiency of entrepreneur-ship, customary values and social institutions that minimize the incentive for economic change. The third world has recently realized the importance of HRD, because it emerges as single factor on which the developed countries have laid great emphasis. In the development process, there are two main sources of growth. One is the increase in quantity of capital and labour and the other is the quality, efficiency and use of these inputs. No country can be regarded as having achieved self-sustained growth until it possessed both in the public and private sectors the required technical skills and administrative/managerial structures to keep the development process going.

The importance of Human Resource Development at national level can be assessed from Holy Quran, Chapter 23, Surah Zumar, verse-9 which says:-

"O Prophet (PBUH) Ask them if educated and illiterate can be alike"?

From Pakistan’s historical point of view the importance of HRD can be realized from the sayings of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah the founder of the Nation:-

"There is an immediate and urgent need for training our people in order to build up our future economic life……do not forget that we have to compete with the world which is moving very fast in this direction" [1] 

The importance of Human Resource Development can also be realized from the analysis of four factors of production that is land, labour, capital and entrepreneur as given by Professor Adam Smith the Father of Economics [2] . On analyzing these four factors of production we arrive at a conclusion that out of these, two are in the form of human capital (labour and entrepreneur) giving weightage of fifty percent to human resource. In fact, people are the active agents. They accumulate capital, exploit natural resources, build social, economic and political organizations and carry forward the task of national development.

The objectives of HRD are to generate and retain competence, optimal use of technology available, develop future leadership, maintain high performance work environment, demonstrate added value, poise the organization to a world-class by continuous learning, continually raise the performance bar (performance potential of the workforce) and accelerate socio-economic development, create rapid development path for the employees and build expertise in the knowledge profession [3] .

In Pakistan, large quantity of human resource is available, but unfortunately it could not be developed to meet the requirements of unexplored abandoned natural resources. Not only the government lagged far behind in the proper development of human capital, even the individuals did not care for their development. As per the general trend in the developing countries also in Pakistan most of the people shift their responsibilities on other individuals or government. Majority think of changing others rather than improving themselves. Leo Tolstoy quotes:-"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself [4] ".

After more than sixty six years of Pakistan passing through different development experiences, Pakistan has not yet come on the path which leads to the achievement of the national objectives. Initially, agriculture was our top priority. Thereafter, industrial development was the major focus. During the 1980s our direction was towards economic planning. Presently, emphasis is on protecting and promoting the health of girls and boys, supporting community learning, strengthening household livelihood security, promoting child rights and gender equity. Likewise, Human Resource Development never came in the lime light of our economic development process. The negative effects of this lackness are that Pakistan is facing hyperinflation, poverty, mass un-employment, balance of payment deficit, fiscal deficit, heavy indebtedness, illiteracy etc. In short, we can say that Pakistan is facing all ills of economic growth. Pakistan ranks at 145 out of 187 countries in the world, in terms of Human Development Index (HDI) of 2011 [5] .

Aim. The aim of this seminar paper is to introduce HRD and challenges faced by Pakistan to suggest a viable way forward for sustainable socio - economic development and national security.

Scope

To understand HRD.

To conduct comparative study of different countries in HRD perspective.

To highlight challenges faced by Pakistan with reference to HRD.

To analyze the overall situation.

Suggest a way forward to arrive at specific conclusions

CHAPTER – 2

MODELS OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

After having been introduced with the concept of Human Resource Development and challenges for Pakistan in the previous chapter, at this stage the models of HRD in different countries especially in South Asia are compared with the challenges of HRD in Pakistan to analyze the situation and inferred for way forward.

However, India, Malaysia and Singapore have been discussed in detail in proceeding paragraphs being in the same region and India having the same cultural background as of Pakistan. By developing human resource, Malaysia and Singapore with very limited resources, have gained socio-economic benefits.

INDIA

India with a population of 1205 million has a labour force of 487 million [6] . Unemployment rate of India as percentage per annum is 9.8%. GDP of India is US dollars 1217 million. Literacy rate is 61%. Expenditure on health as % of GDP is 6.1%. India ranks at 134 out of 187 countries in Human Development Index (HDI) [7] .

The Indian HRD models is based on elementary, adult, Secondary, higher, Technical and distance education/learning. India has Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) responsible for the development of human resources. The Ministry is divided into two departments:- the Department of School Education and literacy which deals with primary education and literacy, and the Department of Higher Education, which deals with post – secondary education. Erstwhile Ministry of Education functions under these two departments [8] .

The major factors responsible for Human Resource Development in India are that India has created pockets of excellence by imparting academic and skill education in various fields. The Indian University Grant Commission works directly under Prime Minister and is planning to create three more universities up till 2020 for higher education. India has also advanced in software technology and quality professionals. Not only this India has advanced in management sciences, space programs and extended education in remote and backward areas. Presently, ninety thousand Indians are studying in American Universities in the field of high-tech.

Indian women force has also advanced in education and skills. Large number of females is working at local level, as well as, abroad. India is earning much more foreign exchange through remittances from abroad.

Malaysia

Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy slightly larger than New Mexico. It has a population of over 29 million people [9] . It has GDP of US dollars195 million [10] . In general, Malaysia’s economy is larger than those of its South East Asian neighbors, but smaller than those of some of the Asian Tigers (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and South Korea). Malaysia was among the countries affected by the Asian financial crisis, though it has since recovered fully. Malaysia avoided major hardship due to its capital control when Asian Tigers went for IMF bail-out package, low external debt, the strong fiscal position of the Malaysian economy, a well-developed regulatory framework, and traditionally low inflation. These institutional factors aided a speedy recovery. These factors indirectly supported HRD.

Malaysia has a labor force of nearly 11 million people [11] . The largest employment sector is trade and tourism, employing 28% [12] of the workers while manufacturing employs 27% [13] . Industrial production contributes 44% [14] to Malaysia’s GDP. The agricultural sector contribution of 16% and services 10% are less significant in terms of GDP contribution and number of employees. Unemployment remains low at 3.1 % [15] .

Approximately, 10% of employees in the Malaysian workforce are members of labor unions. The Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) is an umbrella organization for 230 unions and 500,000 [16] workers. Unions have little power in Malaysia and receive little co-operation from the government during disputes. Laws restrict strikes and the Ministry of Human Resources plays an active role in mediating between unions and management. At no point during the mediation process is a strike legal.

Future growth of Malaysia is associated with the new economy or the Knowledge-Economy. It is one that is driven by knowledge. For the current challenges, the focus is on the inadequate supply of skilled manpower and knowledge workers and for the future challenges, it is about globalization [17] .

Malaysia gained independence in 1957 and during the period the economic activities of the country was dependent on commodities like rubber and tin, the government then came up with a strategy to reduce poverty. With the economic activity influenced by industrialization, the government came to the conclusion that human resource in the industrial sector would be one of the driving force for the countries socio-economic growth. The countries development plans and policies, as well as, the economic development lead the country being knowledge based economy.

The concept of k-economy is the generation and utilization of knowledge in contributing towards the economic growth and creating the nation’s wealth. Knowledge is currently the key driving factor for growth strategy other than labor, capital, raw material and entrepreneurship in production.

SINGAPORE

Singapore having very limited area like Lahore city in Pakistan and almost no natural resources, has developed its human resource through education and high skills. Everyone is free to switch over from academic to skill work or from skill work to academic. They believe in co-existence economic strength, technical advancement and less ethics, law and order issues. Singapore is spending 3.7 percent of GDP and has a remarkable literacy rate of 92.5 percent. The health expenditure as percentage of GDP in Singapore is 4.3 percent.

CHAPTER- 3

CHALLENGES FOR PAKISTAN

Having gone through the models of different countries in the perspective of Human Resource Development. The question arises as to what are the challenges faced by human resource in Pakistan affecting its development in this advance era, when some of the developing countries in the same region have tackled similar challenges and have uplifted their human capital to gain lot of benefits. There is a dire need to access the challenges faced by human capital in Pakistan which are hindering its development. The following challenges faced by Human Resource Development in Pakistan have come forward.

Human Security

At this point of time the top most challenge to Human Resource Development in Pakistan is the human security. Since 9/11, followed by day to day deteriorating human security conditions in most of the countries throughout the world, Pakistan is facing a similar rather more human security threat. In the first instance there is a need to understand human security.

The commission on human security defined it as: -

‘To protect the vital core of all human life in ways that enhance human freedoms and human fulfillment ’ [18] .

Dr Mahbub ul Haq, an economist passionately advocating human security took it as:- "Security of people, not just territory; security of individuals, not just nations; security through development, not through arms and; security of all people everywhere --- in their homes, in their jobs, in their streets, in their communities, in their environment’ [19] .

Hence, human security concept is concerned with protecting people from various threats in social, economic and political life, as well as, threats from natural disasters. Without human security, territorial security becomes ineffective and ultimately self-defeated.

Low Education Attainment Level/Training Gaps

The literature survey reflects that Pakistan is lagging far behind in attaining satisfactory education levels. The trend of public expenditure on education as percentage of GDP is risen from 1.6% in 2000 to almost 2% in 2012 [20] .

The above mentioned trend indicates that the government of Pakistan is not taking care of education of the citizens. Our planners, day in and day out, make statements for changing the fortune of the country by investing in human resource. They give examples of the Asian Tigers, who have changed the destiny of their people. However, they forget that South Korea invest $ 130 per person every year in basic education, Malaysia spends $ 128, India invest $ 9, whereas, Pakistan invests only $ 3 per person [21] . Likewise, Pakistan is lagging far behind even in its region. Pakistan with abandoned human resource unfortunately could not train them as per our requirements in various fields. Right from the higher political levels, down to working class adequate and up to mark training arrangements are not available and hence leading to training gaps.

Therefore, distributive justice and pursuing pro-people policies and providing the masses an opportunity to change their destiny through quality education and training are needed.

The causes of poor education in Pakistan at primary, secondary, universities, as well as, technical level are deteriorating quality education in government institutions leading towards very less job opportunities. Poor governance in education at all levels can be merged as a major cause.

Low Health Coverage

In Pakistan the health coverage is basically the responsibility of the public sector. Public health can be defined as ‘what we as a society do collectively to ensure the condition in which people can be healthy’. (Institute of Medicine US) [22] .

For human development a healthy body, as well as, sound mind are necessary. In Pakistan health facilities are very limited from the qualitative and quantitative point of view. People even in the major cities do not get proper health coverage, what to talk about rural areas. Health coverage involving huge amount of finances is basically the responsibility of public sector. Due to lack of proper health coverage for our human capital, this resource has lagged far behind internationally, as well as, in the region.

Poor governance

Good governance is a key to success for nations. The nations which have developed or are developing with speed possess good governance which helps in the uplift of their human resource. Pakistan’s human resource is suffering because of the effects of poor governance in the form of financial and administrative corruption being the major causes, which can be eradicated through accountability and transparency.

Lack of Planning

It is well said that properly planned is half done. Lack of planning is a great challenge for our human resource. There is an immense need of making planning to educate, groom, train and utilize our workforce to bring them in the main stream for sustainable socio-economic development in the country.

Rising Poverty

Because of increasing population, under utilization / under development of human resource, poor governance and many other such challenges, day by day Pakistan is going in the depths of poverty. Despite the fact that abundant natural resources are available, Pakistan is facing poverty and in 2009, it jumped from 23.9% to 37.5%.

Brain Drain

Because of underutilization of intellectual human resource, many highly qualified and experienced / professional people are moving from Pakistan towards other countries where they are being given due honour and reward. This type of brain drain is one of the great challenges for HRD in Pakistan.

Rising Unemployment

The unemployment rate as percentage per annum is 15.2 %. Unemployment is one of the major factors affecting the overall socio-economic development of the country. Unemployment has multidimensional affects. Pakistan with abandoned population which is also heading towards further increase, when coupled with lack of employment for such population results into increased poverty which further becomes a hindrance for achieving literacy, maintaining nutrition level, not affording health care and hence, overall leads to very slow socio-economic development. Likewise, rising unemployment is a barrier and biggest challenge to HRD in Pakistan.

Inadequate Budgetary Allocation

The low budgetary allocations for the major sectors of development for the last more than sixty years are also significantly responsible for poor human development. On top of it whatever resources are located are not utilized efficiently and effectively.

Lack of Public - Private Partnership

The present day social sector delivery in Pakistan cannot be met without the public-private partnership. Public-private partnership is a key to socio-economic development. Lack of this factor is a great challenge for HRD because for public sector due to limited resources it is not possible to meet the business requirements and hence private involvement is necessary.

Gender Biases and Inequality

Major portion of the female population of the Pakistan is in rural areas where due to cultural and religious back ground and even the house wives in the urban areas do not come in the main stream as a helping hand in the socio-economic development process. Though this category is extensively busy/ engaged much more than the males in the form of working hours but the overall effectives that this trend leads to disguised unemployment at large scale. The gender biases and inequalities with the female class also is a great cause of lack of HRD. There is a need of providing opportunities in all fields i.e. primary education, secondary education, higher education, professional education, vocational/skill education, job opportunities, involvement in social works etc. To the female population in Pakistan which will result into human resource development overall. Promoting gender equity and empowerment of women are the utmost need of the day. In a conservative society like Pakistan non-contribution of women becomes a major hurdle in achieving socio-economic progress.

Miss- Match between Education and Required Occupational Skills

The basic principle of Human Resource Development is fitting a person to the job and fitting a job to the person. In Pakistan highly qualified / professional, as well as, skilled human resource is available but unfortunately, it is not being utilized properly by matching their education/skills with the opportunities of the similar category. Not only this even a layman can be utilized as a labour force if properly managed with the required occupational skills.

CHAPTER - 4

ANALYSIS

Having studied models of different countries in the area of Human Resource Development (HRD) and having considered the challenges faced by Pakistan in this field, there is a need to analyze the situation in real perspective.

Pakistan with a population of 190 million [23] has a labour force of 56 million [24] . The unemployment rate as percentage per annum is 15.2 % [25] . Education expenditure as percentage of GDP is 2.6 % [26] . Literacy rate is 55 % [27] . Health expenditure as % of GDP 3.2% [28] . Pakistan ranks at 141 out of 187 countries in Human Development Index (HDI). The GDP of Pakistan in US dollars is 168 Million in 2009 [29] .

India being in the same region, a close neighbor of Pakistan and also being of similar cultural background has developed its human resource through education and skills. The expenditure as percentage of GDP on education of India is 3.2 % [30] , as compared to 2.6 % of Pakistan [31] . Health expenditure as % of GDP is 2.4 % [32] as compared to 2.6 % [33] of Pakistan. India’s literacy rate is 61% [34] as compared to 55.5% of Pakistan. Hence, due to investments in education and health, India has developed its human resource much more then Pakistan.

Malaysia with a population of 26 million [35] has labour force of 11 million. Unemployment rate as percentage per annum is 5 percent [36] . The expenditure of Malaysia on education as percentage of GDP on education is 6.2 percent [37] as compared to 2.6 % of Pakistan [38] . Literacy rate of Malaysia is 88.7 percent [39] as compared to 49.9 percent of Pakistan. Expenditure on health as percentage of GDP in Malaysia is 3.8 percent [40] as compared to 3.2 % of Pakistan.

Therefore, it is beyond doubt that Malaysia by investing in education through knowledge-economy has developed its human resource to a remarkable extent which ultimately ranked Malaysia at 66 of Human Development Index (HDI) [41] .

Singapore though with very less population of five million and very limited natural resources has developed its human resource to a great extent by investing in education to the extent of 3.7 percent [42] expenditure as percentage of GDP and achieving a remarkable literacy rate of 92.5 percent [43] . The health expenditure as percentage of GDP in Singapore is 4.3 percent [44] . These indicators ranked Singapore to a very credible position of 23 in Human Development Index (HDI) [45] which is next to United Kingdom and Germany.

It is quite evident from the above analysis that the countries being in the same region and some with similar cultural and social background as of Pakistan, by investing in human resource in the form of education and health have achieved great socio-economic development and human security. Emphasis of such countries is on result oriented approach, immediate return, practicability, small and medium enterprises, vocational education, stable democratic setup with good governance in both political, as well as, administrative setup of Pakistan.

CHAPTER- 5

WAY FORWARD

Having considered challenges for Pakistan in the perspective of HRD and studying models of different countries in the same perspective and after analyzing the situation, way forward in this regard is suggested as follows:-

Good Governance

Good governance had been very perfectly defined by Hazrat Ali-bin-Abi Talib (RA) the Caliph and Son-in-Law of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), when advising Maalik-al-Aushtar after appointing him as governor of Egypt. He advises the new governor that his administration will succeed only if he governs with concern for justice, equity, probity and the prosperity of all [46] . The concept of governance [47] is "often presented as involving the use of political authority and exercise of control in a society in relation to the management of its resources for development, the term ‘good governance’ , however, implies a process by which people take and active and effective part in shaping decisions that affect their lives". In this context, good governance has eight major characteristics. It is participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responses, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the rules of law. It assures that corruption is minimized, the views of minorities are taken into account and that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making. It is also responses to the present and future needs of society. "The kind of governance-related problem generally identified in South Asia would include bureaucratic delays and inefficiency, corruption, poor quality public services and a judicial system which is collapsing under the weight of archaic procedures and a huge backlog of cases" [48] .

As already discussed Pakistan has a large population on the one side and abundant unexplored natural resources on the other. Instead of both being properly managed to get optimum level of output, mismanagement has kept both of them aloof meaning that large manpower is not being used properly and is facing serious problems in the form of unemployment and its related issues. God gifted natural resources in many forms are readily available and the need is just to explore them according to our requirements and needs. In this regard, God almighty has also stated in Holy Book Quran, chap-13, Surah Ar-Ra`d, verse 11:-

"Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of people until they change what is in themselves. "

At present point of time there is a need to utilize the available manpower to its optimum for exploring and transforming the hidden / available resources for utilization. The pre-requisite for Human Resource Development in Pakistan is the will, tolerance and corruption free political leadership followed by honest and competent administrative setup. In the recent past, collaboration of the leaders of the major political parties brought a sign of hope for the whole nation that the governing and opposition parties leader’s collaboration shall lead to good governance but but it did not happen.

By good governance the administrative, as well as, financial corruption will be curbed and without extra burden on government exchequer excellent results can be achieved from the persons who are already on the account of government exchequer. Target oriented policy in the public sector must be adopted, in which employees of all categories be given specific targets according to their appointments, with strict accountability. Those who fail in achieving the given targets for them; due to incompetence, corruption etc., hire and fire policy should be adopted for them. For the one’s who have become very negligent on their jobs because of the impression that they are permanent government employees and cannot be fired, this hire and fire policy will ether make them active or they should be replaced by those who are competent enough but due to poor governance are on the roads job less, frustrated and helpless.

Human Security

The present day Human Resource Development is directly related to human security and ultimately to national security. Energy security, water security, poverty security, financial security etc, all are related to Human Resource Development. The more the human resource developed, the more the human security. All this is ultimately related to good governance.

Education

Education plays a pivotal role in the development of HRD. As it is evident from the preceding chapters not only the advance countries but some of the developing countries even in South Asia have achieved remarkable results in Human Resource Development by attaining high level of education. Pakistan is in no way lacking the basic necessities of education that is we have brilliant fertile brains, potential, intelligence and good delivering qualities, only the need is development of this resource.

It has been practically proved that the Pakistani human resource have capabilities, knowledge, skills etc of international levels. There are very good doctors, engineers, professors, professionals, skilled workers, semi-skilled workers and even unskilled workers who by hard work made the world realize about Pakistani human resource.

In Pakistan at present large number of primary, secondary, high, graduate, post-graduate institutions are available. Unfortunately, most of such institutions face challenges of poor governance in the form of inefficiency, poor accountability, lack of proper leadership, lack of vision, lack of policy and planning, lack of continuity etc. Again through good governance in all educational institutions excellent results can be achieved by utilizing the existing infrastructure, resources and human resource without any extra burden on the government exchequer.

Health and Nutrition

Health and nutrition are one of the major challenges for Human Resource Development in Pakistan. Now there is a need to find out a way forward to curb these serious challenges. The healthy human resource of the country is a great support in reducing medical costs, absenteeism, inactiveness and dull mindedness etc. Unfortunately, in Pakistan visiting doctors, using medicines in abundance is a sign of moving towards health but it is not so. Infact, the nation should have so much resources at the disposal of its human resource that they can afford to have nutrition food, impunities of health cares such as jims, walking tracks, sports places in all the localities so that people may avail them which ultimately will lead to good health and developed human resource. Hence, there is a need to create welfare environment at public, as well as, private work places.

Other Measures

The above mentioned are some of the major recommendations for way forward but for the developing countries like Pakistan there are many other suggestions which cannot be ignored and should be considered at national level for Human Resource Development . These are focusing on social policy, motivational campaign for women, decentralization of social services, public private partnerships in social services, even up-till grass root level. Population planning, policy of tax to GDP ratio, employment led growth and productivity, introducing / developing IT sectors, fulfilling training gaps to the standards for facing global competition, learning from international best practices, strict accountability, target orientation culture be adopted specially in the public sector, agro based industries should be encouraged, deployment of Pakistan army for social sectors works, foreign investment must be diverted towards employment generating projects, the output of the projects from foreign investment must be linked with the amount of foreign investment and its interest so that the debt settlement of that amount should also be met from the said projects.

Further Special Recommendations

Immediate Measures;

There is a need of Employment Policy with the objective to provide jobs to everyone. For this a program of creating job opportunities at local level throughout the country with simple infrastructure in the form of SME’s be introduced with public-private partnership.

The existing educational units and employees may be utilized to optimal level to deliver proper education through good governance with special emphasis on accountability and transparency.

Similarly, existing health units throughout the country may be used up to optimum level to provide health facilities to all at local levels through good governance with special emphasis on accountability and transparency.

All of the above recommendations must strictly be supported by good governance; accountability and transparency. Achievable targets should be setup for individuals, as well as, organizations. If need be hire and fire policy must be adopted in order to bring the efficient, honest and hardworking lot in the main stream and sifting out the corrupt, and incompetent ones.

Re hiring of retired people should be banned in public sector, however competent ones should be engaged on contract basis in the field of research and development.

Short-Term Measures;

Pilot projects with public – private partnership and NGOs may be opened up in the fields of social services i.e. education, health, nutrition etc. so that the lots from immediate measures schemes mentioned above may be transferred to these projects for further enhancing there capabilities and output.

Long-Term Measures;

For mega projects at government levels, internationals cooperation may be made with preferably friendly countries on easy terms and conditions and projects be structured. Special care should be taken to target the amount of loans with interest with the output of the projects to balance the loans. With transparency and accountability, such agreements should be made and the projects should also be run effectively and efficiently so that the nation can be benefit instead of coming under the burden of loans and their heavy interests.

CONCLUSION

Socio-Economic growth and National Security have a direct link with Human Resource Development. The more the HRD, the more Socio-Economic Development/National Security and vice-versa. No mater how advance is the technology in the present globalized era but again there is a dire needs of working hands. The more competent/skilled the human resource, the more socio-economic development. The counties with strong economy have strong national security. Population of any country is just like a raw material or unexplored natural resource. The countries which invest in their population in the form of education, skilled and technical trainings, alongwith caring for their health, nutrition and creating job opportunities can convert this raw material into a valuable resource.

With this background when the position of HRD in Pakistan is analyzed one arrives at a conclusion that education, skilled and technical training, health, nutrition, unemployment and poor governance are the major challenges faced by human resource which are badly affecting its development. Comparative analysis of various countries including the countries in the same region in which Pakistan exists i.e. South East Asia indicates that such countries had been facing similar challenges, but with the investments in their human resource in the form of education, training, enhancing skills, health and creating job opportunities through sincere and honest efforts have succeeded in overcoming such challenges. These efforts lead those countries towards sustainable economic growth and ranked them high amongst other countries of the world in the perspective of Human Development Index (HDI).

Through the research in this paper, a way forward has been arrived at that Pakistan on the one hand possess lot of God gifted natural resources which need hands to explore, transform and benefit from them. While on the other hand Pakistan has a large population most of which needs to be developed through education, training, health, nutrition and job opportunities. Unfortunately, on top of this poor governance is a great hindrance in the provision of standard education, training, health, nutrition and employment ultimately, affecting the economic growth and national security of the country because both have a deep linkage with human resource. The paper is concluded with the Chinese Philosopher’s saying…

"When planning for a year, plant corn,

When planning for a decade plant trees,

When planning for life, train and educate people."

"Guanzi" (c. 645BC)