LAHORE: Effective policy making to address the causes, factors and effects of internal migration requires collection of reliable data and primary research.
This was recommended by the participants of the a policy dialogue on migration, urbanisation and development nexus held on Tuesday at Centre for Public Policy of FC College University.The Migration Research Group (MRG) in collaboration with the Urban Unit, Planning and Development Department, Punjab with the support of UNFPA organized the event. The participants included representatives and experts from relevant departments, academic institutions, civil society organizations, the private sector and the media.
The event aimed at deliberating on key issues related to migration, urbanisation, and poverty. Recommendations for devising a new policy paradigm for the growth of sustainable cities with adequate social services, employment opportunities and efficient infrastructure were also sought.
The participants were of the opinion that a strong nexus existed among migration, poverty and development and expertise in the areas of demography, migration and urban sprawl need to be developed. “Internal migration is a boon, but the government has to re-strategise its agriculture sector; redefine urban, rural and peri-urban areas, and make arrangements for the transformation of the mercantile capital into industrial capital to address the issues related to internal migration,” Dr Aisha Siddiqua, the eminent researcher, emphasised while speaking on the occasion. – Dailytimes
