Boston: Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, engaged in high-level discussions with key academic leaders and innovation institutions in Boston on Wednesday. The meetings aimed to enhance Pakistan’s collaboration with prominent American universities in areas such as higher education, climate resilience, economic transformation, public policy, and innovation.

According to Press Information Department, during his visit to Boston University, Iqbal met with Prof. Adil Najam and Dr. Ken Lutchen to discuss expanding academic cooperation. The discussions focused on strengthening Pakistan’s human capital through advanced research partnerships, particularly under the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor initiative, which allows Pakistani scholars to pursue PhD studies at leading global universities. A proposed model for doctoral researchers to tackle Pakistan’s developmental challenges was well-received.

The Minister highlighted Pakistan’s commitment to building a knowledge-based economy through strategic partnerships with world-class institutions. He also noted the nation’s efforts in enhancing higher education enrollment and its co-financing of Fulbright scholarships, which have enabled a significant number of Pakistani students to study in the United States.

Further engagements at Boston University’s Institute for Global Sustainability and the Global Development Policy Center focused on climate resilience and sustainable development. Iqbal discussed Pakistan’s climate vulnerabilities and sought collaboration on adaptation strategies, biodiversity conservation, and clean energy transition.

At the Harvard Kennedy School’s Growth Lab, Iqbal explored Pakistan’s economic transformation objectives under the URAAN Pakistan initiative. Discussions addressed macroeconomic challenges and strategies for achieving a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2035, emphasizing the need for practical policy recommendations to enhance export competitiveness and industrial policy.

Iqbal’s visit also included discussions at the J-PAL research center on evidence-based policymaking and poverty reduction, highlighting the importance of assessing the efficacy of programs like Pakistan’s Benazir Income Support Programme.

Concluding his visit, Iqbal explored innovation ecosystems at the Cambridge Innovation Center, expressing interest in developing similar platforms in Pakistan to foster entrepreneurship and technology commercialization.

The Minister reaffirmed the government’s dedication to building partnerships with leading American institutions to accelerate Pakistan’s transition to a knowledge-driven economy, aligning with the vision of URAAN Pakistan.