The Future of Governance and the Social Contract

This issue of the Development Advocate Pakistan, The Future of Governance and the Social Contract, examines how governance capacity, not policy ambition alone, will determine Pakistan’s ability to navigate economic volatility, climate pressures, digital transformation, and widening inequality. At a moment of overlapping national transitions, it argues that restoring trust in the state depends on stronger institutions, better coordination, and closing the gap between reform commitments and lived outcomes.

The issue features a leadership perspective by Honourable Bilal Azhar Kayani, Minister of State for Finance and Railways and Head of the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit, alongside reflections from UNDP Pakistan’s Resident Representative Dr. Samuel Rizk and Deputy Resident Representative Van Nguyen; Sam Waldock, Development Director at the British Deputy High Commission in Islamabad; and Saroop Ijaz, Lawyer and Human Rights Advocate 

The issue also brings together diverse technical experts and thought leaders examining governance through multiple lenses, including fiscal federalism, constitutional accountability, digital rights, climate governance, water security, regional inequality, inclusion, and more. Among the contributing authors are Christina Murray, Visiting Fellow at Kellogg College, University of Oxford and Gideon Basson, PhD Candidate, University of Oxford; Asma Hyder, Former Dean and Professor at IBA Karachi; Nargis Sethi, Former Cabinet Secretary and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister; Mehreen Naushad, International Law Expert; Dr. Sajid Amin, Deputy Executive Director at SDPI; Shmyla Khan, Researcher and Campaigner; Sara Hayat, Climate Change Law & Policy Specialist; Mohsin Leghari, Former Provincial Minister for Irrigation, Punjab; and Peter Jacob, Director of the Centre for Social Justice. The report concludes with a case study from UNDP’s Democratic Governance Unit, highlighting practical efforts to institutionalize results-based delivery within the Prime Minister’s Office.

Together, these contributions underscore a central message: the future of Pakistan’s social contract will be determined not only by constitutional guarantees or reform plans, but by the strength, coherence, and accountability of the institutions that bring them to life.