The impact of structural reform strategies of international financial institutons on the rule of law, good governance and development in Pakistan

Abstract

This article aims to critique the impact of Structural Reform Strategies of International Financial Institutions (IFIs) upon the rule of law, good governance and development in Pakistan. The key contention of this article is that the absence of social justice in Pakistan is a consequence of the interaction IFIs policies and weak structures of governance, the rule of law and development introduced by the government of Pakistan. Whilst IFI policies have recently attempted to emphasise human rights, good governance, the rule of law and development, they have been ineffective in part due to submissiveness of IFI’s to the geo-strategic interests of the U.S. and Western powers and internal factors within Pakistan.

This article is organised into three parts. Part I examines the impact of Structural Reform Strategies (SRSs) of the IFIs upon the rule of law and good governance in Pakistan. Part II highlights the impacts of SRSs of the IFIs on development in Pakistan whilst focussing upon three key issues such as, poverty, education and health. Part III concludes the article and summarises key arguments.