As part of the Imagining Futures: Social Equity in South Asia conference at Habib University, the Policy Hackathon brought together bright young minds to envision policy interventions for some of Pakistan’s most pressing challenges.

Over the course of five days (July 31 – August 4, 2025), the hackathon included 76 participants in 20 teams of 3–5 members each.—worked intensively to develop policy solutions. Participants not only collaborated within their teams but also engaged with the broader conference through plenary sessions, thematic panels, workshops, and roundtables led by scholars, policymakers, and practitioners from across South Asia.

The hackathon was designed to simulate real-world policy development: participants began by identifying a challenge statement, then worked through research, stakeholder mapping, and brainstorming, finally presenting concrete policy interventions. The themes ranged widely—from public health and education to urban infrastructure, environment, governance, and social inclusion.

This dynamic combination of hands-on teamwork and exposure to policy experts created a unique environment where participants could both learn and contribute, making the Policy Hackathon a highlight of the conference.

Alongside their teamwork, participants took part in a series of learning workshops led by practitioners and scholars. These sessions went beyond theory, giving students practical methods and fresh perspectives to strengthen their ideas. They learned how to write clear and focused policy memos, explored how design thinking can be used to promote social justice, discussed what sustainable urban futures might look like for Karachi, and reflected on human rights through lived examples of community work. Each workshop added new layers to their understanding, which participants then carried into their projects, making their final proposals more grounded and creative.

Workshop 1: How to Write a Policy Memo That Matters

The first workshop, held on Day 0 (31st July), led by Uswa Ali Memon, introduced participants to the fundamentals of writing clear and impactful policy memos. The session emphasized that a good memo must directly respond to the client’s needs by answering three central questions: what is happening, what is working, and what should be done next. Facilitators explained how memos can take descriptive, evaluative, or prescriptive forms, depending on the problem and objective.

Participants learned fundamentals of writing clear, impactful policy memos that respond to a client's needs by answering three central questions: what is happening, what is working, and what should be done next. The session covered descriptive, evaluative, and prescriptive memo forms, and introduced the four elements of strong policy analysis — condition, criteria, cause, and effect. Facilitators emphasized deductive writing: present the main point upfront and support it with concise evidence and analysis. Teams left the session with a practical framework to structure memos that are persuasive and implementable.

Workshop 2: Design Thinking and Social Justice

The second workshop on Day 0, led by Syeda Mehwish Zara Zaidi, explored the intersection of design thinking and social justice in policy-making. The session highlighted how the role of designers has shifted from producing visuals for passive audiences to collaborating with active, informed communities. Social justice was framed around principles of equity, access, participation, rights, and diversity, and participants were encouraged to see policy-making through this lens.

Design thinking was introduced as a human-centered and iterative process built on empathy, problem definition, ideation, prototyping, and testing. The workshop emphasized co-design, where users are collaborators throughout the process, rather than just providers of feedback. Participants engaged in an Empathy Map exercise to practice understanding user perspectives in depth.

Real-world applications were also discussed, including international examples such as the UK’s Policy Lab and Denmark’s MindLab, as well as a local case study on the Sindh Healthcare Service Providers and Facilities Act (2021). These examples demonstrated how integrating design thinking into governance can lead to more inclusive, user-friendly policies. The session concluded by underscoring that empathy and collaboration are essential for building policies that promote fairness, equity, and dignity.

Workshop 3: Sustainable Urban Development and the Future of Karachi

Held on Day 2 and led by Farhan Anwar, an experienced urban sustainability and planning practitioner and Assistant Professor at Habib University, this workshop introduced participants to the evolving paradigm of sustainable urban development, with Karachi as its focal point. It highlighted the interconnected dimensions of economy, environment, and equity in shaping livable and resilient cities, and emphasized the urgent need to rethink planning models in the face of climate change. Rather than relying on traditional, car-centric planning, participants were encouraged to envision integrated, people-friendly urban spaces that prioritize sustainability.

Key themes explored during the session included public space design, sustainable mobility, green infrastructure, and circular economy innovations. Through interactive presentations and a Vision Cone Exercise, participants analyzed Karachi’s urban challenges and collaboratively developed a vision for a livable Karachi by 2050. The workshop not only grounded students in global sustainable urban practices but also pushed them to imagine localized solutions that could transform the city’s future.

Workshop 4: Human Rights and Social Responsibility

The fourth workshop was led by Air Cdre (R) Shabbir Ahmed Khan, President of the Rashidabad Memorial Welfare Organization (RMWO) on the last day of the Hackathon. He shared the inspiring story of the organization’s founding in memory of Flt. Lt. Rashid Ahmed Khan, who sacrificed his life in 1997 while steering his aircraft away from a populated area. Rooted in this spirit of selflessness, RMWO was established in 1998 and has since worked to uplift disadvantaged communities through a holistic model that integrates education, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and socio-economic development.

Air Cdre Shabbir spoke about Rashidabad, RMWO’s pilot project in interior Sindh, which brings together schools, health facilities, and vocational training under one umbrella to empower rural populations and reduce urban migration. Framing this work as part of a broader human rights agenda, he emphasized that access to education, healthcare, and dignified livelihoods are not privileges but fundamental rights. The session encouraged participants to view human rights not only as legal protections but as actionable commitments to creating inclusive, sustainable communities.

After five days of focused work, the teams presented their proposals to a panel of experts from UNDP, Pakistan Administrative Management Services (PAMS), and Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA). The presentations were a chance for participants to showcase their ideas and the effort they had put into refining them. The panel shared thoughtful feedback and reflections, highlighting the strengths of each proposal while also pointing out the practical steps needed to take these ideas forward. This exchange gave participants a clearer sense of how their work could move from paper to practice.

Hackathon Winners: Team Kind of Iconic

Team Kind of Iconic addressed the widespread problem of counterfeit and unregistered medicines in Pakistan, a challenge that has severe implications for public health. They highlighted how weak regulatory enforcement, unchecked supply chains, and limited consumer awareness have allowed fake drugs to infiltrate markets across the country. Hormonal medicines, in particular, were identified as especially vulnerable to counterfeiting, with devastating consequences such as fertility issues, miscarriages, and other long-term health risks. This not only endangers individuals but also erodes public trust in the healthcare system.

To respond to this crisis, the team proposed a multi-pronged policy. First, they recommended the creation of a drug verification SMS system, allowing consumers to authenticate medicines by sending a simple mobile code, a solution that is low-cost and accessible even in low-income communities. Second, they called for stronger pharmacy inspections led by the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) and provincial health departments, with stricter penalties and blacklisting for violators to deter malpractice. Finally, they stressed the importance of awareness campaigns, particularly in underserved areas, to educate communities about the dangers of counterfeit medicines and build confidence in safe, verified pharmaceutical practices.

By combining technological solutions, regulatory enforcement, and public outreach, the team’s proposal offered a practical and scalable path toward ensuring safer access to medicines. Their approach recognized the urgency of addressing counterfeit drugs not only as a healthcare challenge but also as a matter of equity and public trust.

Hackathon Runners Up: Team Draft Mode and Team Corals

Team Draft Mode chose to focus on the critical issue of mental health in Sindh, where the absence of effective and affordable therapeutic services in government hospitals continues to worsen conditions for thousands. They highlighted how the lack of psychology departments, qualified professionals, and affordability in existing structures has left large sections of the population without access to care.

Their proposed intervention centered on two key reforms. First, they suggested the allocation of a dedicated mental health budget of PKR 15–30 billion from the overall healthcare budget of PKR 360+ billion. Currently, no such allocation exists, even though the World Health Organization recommends dedicating 5–10% of national health budgets to mental health. Second, they recommended establishing psychology departments in government hospitals across Sindh. These would not only provide accessible therapeutic services but also create sustainable job opportunities for professionals in the field, supported through fair salaries, research opportunities, and additional incentives such as subsidized housing.

If implemented, their plan could reshape Pakistan’s mental health landscape. The expected outcomes include building a strong community of psychologists, reducing suicide rates, combating stigma, and fostering inclusivity, all while opening new career pathways for young professionals. As the team concluded, making modern, affordable therapy available in government hospitals is a crucial step toward a healthier and more equitable future for all.

Team Corals addressed the growing challenge of overburdened outpatient departments in public hospitals, where overcrowding compromises communication, delays treatment, and increases burnout among healthcare workers. Their proposal introduced a rotational, integrative model combining AI-driven triage, telemedicine, and task-shifting to streamline workflows and improve patient outcomes.

The plan centers on a reasoning AI system that would allow patients to register symptoms via automated calls or web forms in multiple regional languages. Based on severity, geolocation, and transit time, the AI would assign hospital slots or refer patients to telemedicine consults. Seasonal infections and routine chronic conditions would be handled by trained paramedical staff, interns, and students, reducing the strain on doctors while enhancing patient counseling and disease awareness.

By reorganizing outpatient care in this structured manner, the project seeks to cut waiting times, improve treatment satisfaction, and strengthen patient understanding of their conditions. It also emphasizes building resilience within the health workforce by reducing burnout. The monitoring framework includes evaluating waiting times, compliance, patient satisfaction, and staff well-being, ensuring measurable outcomes.

While challenges remain—such as preventing misuse of the e-ticketing system and accounting for patients from remote areas—the proposal presents a practical, low-cost pathway to improve healthcare delivery in Karachi’s public hospitals.