Constitution Debate Delays Report on Pakistan Economy

Political problems in Pakistan have held up publication of a report, sponsored by the School of Public Administration, to improve that country's economy, according to Edward S. Mason, the School's dean.

"The determination of provincial government in West Pakistan and a prolonged debate in the constituent assembly on the new constitution have involved a postponement of the development plan's publication," Mason stated.

The report, when published, will outline a program for development of Pakistan's economy. Prepared by members of the economics department in conjunction with a Parkistan planning board, the survey presents recommendations for the nation's financial structure, money and banking, agriculture, power and irrigation, and industry.

Offices to implement this study's recommendations in Karachi, Lahore, and Dacca will be manned by two American economists. They will train a small group of Pakistani economists to administer the program spelled out in the report.

The idea for a study originated in 1953 when Pakistan asked the Ford Foundation for a grant to formulate a five-year economic development plan. The funds were appropriated, and subsequently the Pakistan government asked Mason to direct the project.

Mason accepted, and in 1954 eight economists, several of them from the University, and their families were sent to Pakistan to advise the Pakistan planning board.