An Alternative Planning Perspective for Regional Growth and Development in Pakistan

Abstract

In Pakistan, historically, regional economic disparity has been an important political issue. During the 1960’s the economic disparity between East and West Pakistan fueled the movement for provincial autonomy in East Pakistan and subsequently the movement for national independence in what became Bangladesh in 1971. During the late 1970’s and 1980’s the issue of regional disparity between the provinces of what remains of Pakistan has acquired an explosive potential. However, this is an issue that has been charged by emotion, and it may be time now to begin a serious analysis to enable effective policy formulation to overcome the problem.