Islamabad: Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has called upon young economists to transcend traditional bureaucratic norms and engage actively in shaping Pakistan’s future through innovation and effective policymaking. Addressing a ceremony at the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, he emphasized the role of the Ministry of Planning and Development as a pivotal think tank for national progress.

According to Radio Pakistan, Iqbal congratulated newly trained economists on completing their orientation program, urging them to see their roles as part of a nation-building mission rather than mere government employment. He highlighted the necessity of aligning economic planning with political realities, noting that even robust economic policies could falter without adequate political and institutional backing.

Iqbal underscored the increasing influence of technological innovation and artificial intelligence on global economies, stressing the importance of integrating these modern trends into Pakistan’s economic strategies. He also pointed to the need for stability, intellectual freedom, and innovative ideas as essential components for sustainable development and expressed optimism about the contributions young economists could make toward addressing national challenges and furthering Pakistan’s development objectives.