Mukhtar Paras Shah, Pakistan

 

Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource Development
Young Leaders Program (’11)

 

Mukhtar joined civil service after qualifying the Central Superior Services Examination in 2001 and has since served in various capacities in national and international assignments. He was part of the team that introduced Local Government System in Pakistan in 2001. The year after, he revised and drafted a modern telecommunication policy for government functionaries that paved the way for official use of mobile phones and internet in the government. Mukhtar also served in the Asian Development Bank as the Governance Specialist working on reform agenda for Police and Justice Sector in Pakistan.

 

One of his key postings has been in the Ministry of Economic Affairs (2004) where he served as the Economic Policy Officer looking after matters pertaining to International Financial Institutions. As such he was responsible for developing the country strategy for development projects worth $1.4 billion. Another of his important contributions was to arrange and release funds for rescue and rehabilitation operations in the wake of the 2005 Kashmir earthquake. And as the Director, Planning and Strategy Development in National Vocational and Technical Education in Pakistan (2009), he proudly contributed to the development of the National Skills Strategy focusing on the 100 million young population and the same is now under implementation. Presently Mukhtar is working as Deputy Secretary in the Government of Pakistan.

 

As a writer Mukhtar has been contributing articles on academic issues pertaining to public economics and development. He is also author of two very well recognized books in Urdu literature. Moreover, he has hosted more than 500 live talk shows on the State TV highlighting the government’s agenda and achievement.

 

Building on his experience in Pakistan, Mukhtar established the International Network of Volunteers for Japan (INVJ) at GRIPS to support community efforts and help the victims of the triple disaster that hit Japan on March 11 last year. He recently featured in CNN iReport where he talked about his experience and activities during the aftermath of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami.

 

Please tell us about your career path so far. What is your area of specialization and how did you come to work in this area?

I am the member of prestigious Civil Service of Pakistan. Like Japan, we have a system of national competition to recruit civil servants and I qualified the same. I started my career as a lecturer at a University and later decided to enter the civil service after realizing that through this platform one has ample opportunity to be an agent of change. All along in my career I have been inclined towards the development sector and have rendered my services in various capacities. In Pakistan, civil servants do not serve in one department or ministry for all their career; they move from one place and tier to another as these practices gives the officers broad exposure and experience of varied subjects. In the beginning I was given the responsibility to implement the directives of the President of Pakistan, especially for development initiatives. This experience was very fruitful as it educated me on the strategies and matrixes in public policy resulting into success and failures of development projects. Later I served in the Cabinet Division to work on matters pertaining to local government plans being considered by General Musharraf in 2001. For the first time, I realized the importance of the bottom-up approach in development. The role played by the international financial institutions during the army rule was a great education for me. At the Ministry of Economic Affairs Division I studied very minutely how international development agencies extend support for various initiatives in the third world and how important and effective it can be.

 

My ten years experience in the local government in Pakistan was an eye opener for me as a civil servant. I realized that change is definitely in empowerment but if the process to empower the people is without a comprehensive plan, it risks ending up a useless exercise. During this period I worked for an initiative of the Ministry of Law under the Access to Justice Program. I contributed my efforts to raising awareness about the legal and institutional rights for common citizens. The access to justice however, remained a dream for the common people for the years to come. It occurred to me in the power corridors that fate of the ordinary people on the roads in the third world is very closely connected to geo-strategic situation of the country. From 2001 to 2011 Pakistan was forcibly involved in a war in Afghanistan. This decade long war resulted into big socio-economic problems for the country as commerce, trade, industry went down. The immigrants from Afghanistan entered in Pakistan territories in millions, and millions of others were displaced within the country as a result of military operations rendering people helpless and jobless. At that time I, was serving as Director of National Vocational and Technical Education in the country. I remember how we created opportunities for skill development for the internally displaced people and immigrants from Afghanistan so that they can become useful citizens instead of being frustrated because of the surroundings and circumstances they find themselves in.

 

You are currently Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Human Resource Development. What are your main tasks and responsibilities?

Pakistan has more than 100 million people under the age of 25. The government has a responsibility to provide education and opportunities to this youth bulge in order to transform this (potential) problem into an opportunity. Presently, I am working in the Ministry of Human Resource Development as Deputy Secretary with the objective to facilitate and create opportunities for capacity building of the masses. I understand that our partners in development, especially in Asia, should also benefit from the availability of a talented young population in this territory. My dreams in service are to contribute to making Asia a peaceful and prosperous place in the world.

 

What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your work?

Bridging gap between the policy and people is the biggest challenge being faced at the moment by the bureaucracy in Pakistan. My earnest feeling is that bureaucratic processes sometimes become a bottleneck and they truly say that bureaucracy is mostly in favor of the status-quo. Sometimes I feel that we need to run the country and bureaucracy like a company so that public investment is not wasted and immediate returns come to the beneficiaries. But political economy has never been so simple. All in a days’ work my biggest challenge is to look into the eyes of my bosses and get a clear answer. Clear decision-making is very important in bureaucracy and it is necessary to create change.

 

What have been the most interesting or rewarding aspects of your career thus far?

As an Economic Policy Officer I was responsible for developing our country strategy for development projects worth $1.4 billion. I administered donor-driven projects and generated reports for the government to reduce delays in the start-up of projects. This was a truly interesting episode as I learned a lot during this exercise.

 

I also acted as a focal point for twelve countries in South East Asia. The diplomatic discussions in bilateral meetings with other countries were something that I enjoyed the most. I led the delegation that held talks with Government of Tajikistan in Dushanbe in the backdrop of Pak-Tajik Bilateral Forum Meeting.

 

Most rewarding experience, however, has been my contribution in the aftermath of the 2005 Earthquake that hit Pakistan and caused more than 100,000 casualties. I played a key role in release of critical money needed to initiate rescue and rehabilitation operations on the eve of the earthquake. One of my important contributions was also to negotiate a deal with South Korea for the purchase of earth digging heavy machinery for the earthquake-hit regions.

 

In your current capacity, what do you see as the main opportunities and challenges for Pakistan over the course of the next five to ten years?

We, as a country are in need of ‘People First Approach’ in order to ensure sustainable development in the next decade. The war-fields have changed. Now we must shift our attention from missiles to millions of those who continue to live in abject poverty in Asia. Just imagine, what can happen if our massive young generation, especially in South Asia, will not be equipped with new tools of warfare: education, economic empowerment and social development. I wish we can breathe a new sense of responsibility in our young and future generations.

 

What led you to GRIPS? What is the most important thing you got out of your studies here, and how has your experience at GRIPS prepared you for future endeavours?

I discussed my plans to proceed for higher education with my friends. Some of my very close friends had already done their Ph.D. at GRIPS and they suggested me to go for the same. Why me and my friends preferred our studies at GRIPS is not difficult to understand. It is an Asian milieu and GRIPS is already famous in Pakistan for their focus on development related disciplines. And in addition to accomplished academics, the faculty hails from the highest echelons of bureaucracy and diplomacy that not only gives the international students inspiration but also an opportunity to learn directly from them.

 

You were in Tokyo when the Great East Japan Earthquake hit on March 11 last year. Please tell us about how you experienced the disaster and its aftermath.

When the great earthquake of March 11 hit Japan I thought that this was perhaps the end of the world. It seemed as if Tokyo itself was on a roller coaster and its skyscrapers swung with frightening speed from right to left. This 9.2 magnitude tremor continued for more than 10 minutes and shook everything that existed on earth. I was amazed to note that almost no buildings were actually destroyed in Tokyo as a result of this historic earthquake. Japan is well-prepared, especially since the Kobe Earthquake in 1995, and in fact they were anticipating the biggest earthquake in history to look into their invincible eyes once again. This time the earthquake blew its anger very hard but it could only swing the buildings and bridges joined with only nuts and bolts.

 

This time the disaster came from a different side. The earthquake could not uproot earthquake resistant buildings but it shook the vast blue ocean. Like turning a bowl of water onto a table sheet, the seawater, in waves as high as 30 metres, erupted and engulfed the entire Tohoku region. Video images have shown that while the tsunami was entering the city, people on roads, children in schools and farmers in the fields did not know that they would be drowned. Now the government is working on developing architecture that the world may soon call ‘tsunami resistant’. I wondered, where had this spirit of acceptance and struggle emerged from in Japanese society? This is the lesson for the rest of the humanity.

 

Immediately after the earthquake, the local Japanese people took control of the situation in their respective surroundings. All this happened without any involvement and instructions from the government. Most people came out of their houses in haste, uncovered, and into the cold. In a matter of minutes, people started coming with food, water and warm clothes to places where help was required. Foreigners were all terrified and they looked at the Japanese, bewildered, who were helping them with calm and pleasant smiles on their faces. In front of us they distributed the responsibilities and started rescue and help work. The continued aftershocks were terrifying for all of us and we did not know what to do next. Soon we were told that a tsunami warning had been issued and we had to take shelter somewhere. We were rushed to a big, impressive and specially built building that was part of an international exchange centre. The hall soon filled with shelter seekers while the tremors continued. They immediately developed a system of flow of information and details started pouring in after every minute. We were told that the building we were in was the safest building in Tokyo and if something happened to that building, it meant that Tokyo no longer existed. However, they took care of the people with the milk of human kindness. All night long, the volunteer workers stood alert and helped women, children, the elderly and foreigners.

 

Just after the March 11 disaster you established the International Network of Volunteers for Japan (INVJ) at GRIPS. Please tell us more about INVJ, its purpose and activities.

I am only one of those many students at GRIPS who tried to support community efforts in the hour of need. During the course of the crisis we noticed the community took control of the situation in all areas. It inspired me later to join hands with Japan by introducing INVJ. We had noticed that during the early days of the crisis there was a lack of information on various relevant issues. Not only the foreigners, even the local people were anxious for adequate information and we also wanted to help those in need. INVJ was an immediate response to this situation. I remember that students at GRIPS were passionate about it and extended their support with zest and zeal. In the wake of miscommunication INVJ started an awareness campaign to remove apprehensions because of the nuclear disaster. Tokyo was in the grip of panic and they needed advice on the basis of real facts. I along with my friends investigated the websites and papers and compiled information, which we shared with all universities in Tokyo, conveying the (potential) threats and what foreigners needed to know and do while living in Tokyo. This exercise was a huge success and was appreciated by many. INVJ also took part in discussions held in other local universities that were in the process of designing activities. Some of us even collected some donations for the welfare of children affected by the earthquake.

 

As a result of these discussions many students including from GRIPS went to the earthquake hit regions for rescue and rehabilitation. I remember that In Tono City, the whole area was submerged in a tsunami and all the buildings were swept away. But, in one school in the same city, all children survived because of the daily disaster management drill they used to take on their premises.

 

It was a pure inspiration for me. The nation has faced a multi trillion dollar loss and the way they have put their efforts together has proven to be an inspiration for third world countries. Disaster management has become their expertise and Japan intends to use it effectively in the future as a global leader. Everyone here has done something for the victims and the affected areas. It is my honour to have been a part of the relief efforts as a volunteer. During the activities in the tsunami affected areas, I found hundreds of lovely pictures of smiling babies and honeymooning couples littered in the mud. I cleaned them with quivering hands, washed them with tears in my eyes and placed them on broken shelves for somebody to recognize their belongings. Then I also held a shovel, carried stones and bricks and laid the foundations of new houses with new hopes. I am happy that I represented Pakistan in Japan and spread the message of peace from my people.

 

I think INVJ was a great forum and I request the President of GRIPS to institutionalize INVJ as a permanent forum at GRIPS. The officer bearers of INVJ will be elected during the Student Council elections that GRIPS holds and their job will be to involve the international students in volunteer activities during their stay at GRIPS. This shall be a great opportunity for the international students to spend their spare tíme in welfare of the humanity and society. They will then carry this message and practice back to their homes accordingly. Let INVJ be a permanent feature of GRIPS!

 

What is your fondest memory of your time spent at GRIPS? And what do you miss about Japan?

Professor Yoshida; the roller coaster of microeconomics has imprinted some indelible memories on my mind. One evening I had the opportunity to be his sole student in his office when he took his time to teach that poetry and literature cannot change the face and fate of the third world countries. Has economics done it? I asked and would not wait for an answer. Prof. Julen Esteban; the heavy weight champion of micro-economics has also not faded out from the screen of my mind. According to horoscope and stars, he was a scorpion like me. I could see what was he up to and what shall he do next? Prof. Dhermazevda; the queen of public economics was a great teacher. She knew how to speak words to an audience who were very eager to listen.

 

My most fond memories of GRIPS revolve around faces featuring friends. My late night solitary walks along the Tokyo Bay and whispers of the cold wind on the sidelines of semi-dark alleys of Roppongi Hills are that I miss the most. I miss the cherry blossoms and the cheerful people that went hand in hand looking deep into the millions cherry blossoms feasting their eyes with love, beauty and harmony. I miss the Yurikomome Line that carried us every day on route to the Rainbow Bridge and where I used to sit in the corner seat of the train counting the stars, lights and waves all mingling together. I get nostalgic when I think about all this and all those most important people in my life.

 

What is your favorite thing to do when you are not working?

I happen to be a writer of light essays and short stories. I started being published in national daily papers at the age of 12 and soon became a known young writer on the literary scene. Literary giants in my national language Urdu have acknowledged my work and I feel proud of it. I am also author of two books in fiction. I think this creative activity is very important for me as it gives me the opportunity to speak to myself and the world scattered around me. If I would have been only a civil servant, I would have been very callous. To be a writer is difficult as one cannot turn away the eyes from happenings but it is wonderful. It is wonderful to be able to say things that you feel at your heart. I also love to paint and sketch; the other mediums of expression when even my words do not go with me. At one point of time I was also an anchor person of a Morning Show on the state TV. I have anchored more than 500 live television shows and what an experience it was!

 

How do you maintain a balance between your work and the rest of your life?

In fact rest of the life keeps a balance between me and my work. There is so much to do in life. The quest to know keeps one on the run and a man who is running on the track has a remarkable balance.

 

What advice would you give to current GRIPS students?

All those who are at GRIPS are Gifted Representatives in International Perspectives. I knew one of my friends who always had very little sleep while he was in Tokyo. Once I asked him why the hell are you always awake like an owl; why don’t you go to sleep? He replied that “being in Tokyo is a lifetime opportunity for me. I can sleep as much as I like when I am back home. But this is an occasion to learn, to see, and to share”. My message to GRIPS students is that you are part of a beautiful dream; behold it and never blink your eyes.

 

Do you have any suggestions on how to further utilize the GRIPS alumni network?

If GRIPS can launch a blog dedicated for GRIPS Alumni, it can provide a platform for all the alumni to share their experiences. This opportunity will bring the world more close together under the banner of GRIPS.