How to promote strategic culture of research in Pakistan.

The culture of research with analytical skills, critical thinking and strategic insight is essential for transforming a country from being poor and underdeveloped to a successful one. Societies where there is culture of innovative and creative research are able to turn around and seek excellence in economy, good governance, rule of law, accountability, and human and social development with a focus on better education and vibrant institutions.

What is meant by a culture of research and why Pakistan, the world's fifth most populous country, is unable to seek a breakthrough in utilising its human resource for developing a strategic mind with a focus on research and development? Davindra Thakur in his book, Research Methodology in Social Sciences, states: 'The term research is meant any inquiry or investigation regarding any phenomenon or event in order to discover facts.' Tariq Malik in his book, Meliorism of Research Methodology, maintains that the word research 'comes from the French 'rechercher' (to search again or survey) and is defined as a careful, systematic, patient investigation undertaken to discover or establish facts and relationships.'

C.R Kothari in his book, Research Methodology Methods and Techniques, states: 'Research in common parlance refers to a search for knowledge. One can also define research as a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic. In fact, research is an art of scientific investigation. We all possess the vital instinct of inquisitiveness for, when the unknown confronts us, we wonder and our inquisitiveness makes us probe and attain full and fuller understanding of the unknown.' When research is not understood or is disregarded as something irrelevant, the outcome is degeneration of society and failure of state. Viewed in the context of Pakistan, research was never given a priority by the state which considered it as a threat to its interests.

Reasoning, critical thinking, probe, inquiry and searching for truth means opening up of the minds of people challenging policies and its narratives aiming to misguide people and hiding truth. Promoting a strategic culture of research means when the two major words 'why' and 'how' are not suppressed by the state and society. When reasoning and questioning become a part of societal discourse, it means people, particularly the youths, are empowered to search for the truth and strengthen the process of innovation, creativity and...