FACTORS IMPEDING THE RESEARCH PROCESS IN PAKISTAN
BY: JORDAN JAMES*

The process of research has not earned much currency over the years in Pakistan. There are numerous reasons that have negated the practice of carrying out of such researches in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. While scanning through the annals of Pakistani chronology some factors that have fairly impeded the research process are 1) the in-eption of the governments in accentuating and promoting the process of research, 2) the role of institutions in discouraging research-oriented plans and 3) the lack of commitment and interest, generally on part of the Pakistani society. Moreover the scarcity of resources due to financial constraints, the brain drain because of intellectual migration abroad and religious tight-spots have held back the research process from flourishing in the country.
It was soon after inception that non-democratic regimes took over the managerial apparatus and the affairs of Pakistan, who designed and pursued policies that were only meant to serve them. The elected governments that had been installed in the Republic from time-to-time, despite being democratic in nature, have systematically failed in promoting and in encouraging the culture of research. The futility of the regimes has significantly been exposed by the lack of concern and resolve, on part of the people representing various governments, in addressing the political, social, and economic challenges faced by Pakistan. The culture of research has suffered from such antagonistic policies.
With regard to the role of the ‘not-so-governmental’ institutions in discouraging the research agendas, particularly for social research, it is due to the unnecessary interference of quarters, skeptical about the findings and observations, a particular research may reveal. These factions continue to reserve the scope and extent of research in different areas in order to conceal previous wrongs and avoid the truth from being unveiled. The bureaucratic circles and its germane departments, on a number of occasions have orchestrated formalities intended to hinder and nullify the attempts towards the process of research.
Beyond the foregoing, the Pakistani society as a whole has not played its essential part by actively involving and rigorously indulging in the research process due to lack of interest. Although professionals such as academicians, intellectuals, and others have conducted research in various areas during their training periods but with the passage of time these too have been replaced by more contemporary concepts introduced elsewhere in the world. To make matters worse, the Pakistani students, especially since the last 15-20 years have been unsuccessful in conducting substantial research or otherwise in maintaining the previous statistics, neither in quantitative nor in qualitative respects, albeit new techniques and methodology have made the process considerably more easy and researcher-friendly as compared to the former conditions.

CONCLUSION
Keeping in view the observations submitted above, the innovation of the culture of research in Pakistan is inevitable especially when compared on regional level. The government, the institutions and inescapably the people of Pakistan should resolve to indulge in such investigative courses. The Government, by employing its physical resources should popularize the inquisition culture through various research-oriented policies. The institutions, by virtue of their administrative immunities need to make a shift in their endeavors and encourage initiatives as far as the process of research matters. Moreover, the students need to realize the gravity of challenges faced by Pakistan. They must resolve to embark upon research in areas that warrant prosperity and stability of the country. It is established that only those nations excel and prosper, who strive extra-ordinarily in exploring remedies that address their problems. This too is the treatment in the case of Pakistan.

* Student, M.A (Final) First Semester (2006), Department of International Relations, University of Karach

All content (C) Department of International Relations, Karachi University

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