Pakistan's Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building: Challenges and Strategies towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Abstract

Pakistan has encountered substantial obstacles in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) due to systemic institutional flaws and inadequate skill development. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of these challenges, highlighting issues such as insufficient financial resources, political instability, ineffective stakeholder coordination, and gaps in human resource development. Additional barriers include stakeholder resistance and a lack of robust tracking and evaluation mechanisms. To address these issues, the study recommends several strategies: significantly boosting investments in education and training programs, decentralizing decision-making to empower local governments, and enhancing collaboration among governmental bodies, businesses, and civil society organizations. A coordinated approach that integrates efforts from the public and private sectors as well as non-governmental organizations is crucial for overcoming these barriers. By adopting these recommendations, Pakistan can make substantial strides towards achieving the SDGs and fostering sustainable development. Data for this study were collected through a rigorous review of reports, news articles, and academic research using qualitative methods..