The MoPD&SI serves as a research institute, combining policy formulation, strategic planning, and research-driven initiatives to address critical national issues. It formulates a broad sectoral policy framework, undertakes strategic planning, and has an exclusive mandate to identify neglected areas that lack adequate portfolio and stimulate the formulation of sound development projects, identifying an overlooked area needing attention, as outlined in its rules of business. In its capacity as a national institute, MoPD&SI has strengthened its role in developing, testing, and scaling innovative solutions for national development challenges through technical support. It also holds comparative advantages, both budgetary and capacity for strategic planning at a national level, and it is well placed to offer a template to its provincial counterparts.

In 2022, the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives (MoPD&SI) undertook a strategic initiative and developed the 5Es framework to address the country's socioeconomic challenges ¹. Approved by the National Economic Council, the 5Es Framework stresses the importance of policies, implementation, and targeted interventions to achieve equitable and accessible health, education, and protection services. The framework aims to provide a roadmap for sustainable development and economic growth and focuses on five key areas, each represented by an "E. These include Exports for sustainable economic growth, e-Pakistan for digital transformation, Environment and climate change for mitigating its impact, Energy and infrastructure development, and Equity and Empowerment. The fifth component addresses the fundamental issues of accessibility, inclusivity, and social justice in healthcare delivery and envisions MHPSS as a key area to focus on creating equitable access to mental health services for all population segments.

According to WHO ² there are three main reasons to invest in mental health.

Firstly, developing mental health services is important to respond to public health needs. The burden of mental disorders has already been described. Given the challenges faced by Pakistan, 1 out of 5 people is likely to suffer from a mental health condition ³. These services can reduce human suffering, and improve quality of life and level of functioning for people with mental disorders. Mental disorders not only lead to individual suffering but adversely affect the whole family. For this reason, integrating mental health in universal health coverage (UHC) packages of essential services becomes inevitable

Secondly, improving mental healthcare helps promote human rights. People suffering from mental disorders face stigma and discrimination and are often mistreated and denied basic rights ⁴. For example, they are likely to face human rights abuses by their families, communities, and even healthcare providers. They also face discrimination in employment, education, and other spheres of life.

Finally, investing in mental health is important for the social and economic development of the country ⁵. The impaired mental health of people hinders development by reducing productivity, strains social relationships, and is likely to worsen cycles of poverty and disadvantage. On the other hand, people with positive mental health learn and work well, form healthy relations, and contribute to their communities. Investing in mental healthcare provides a cost-benefit ratio of 1 to 5, meaning that for each rupee invested, there is 5 times return ⁶.