Islamabad: In a call to action, Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday urged economists to identify the persistent factors that hinder Pakistan’s development, emphasizing the need for a supportive ecosystem to achieve sustainable national growth. Addressing the annual conference of the Pakistan Society of Development Economists, Iqbal stated that peace, political stability, policy consistency, and continuous reform are essential for progress.

The event, organized by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics in collaboration with several national and international bodies, was themed “URAAN Pakistan: Growth Through Digital Transformation.” Iqbal highlighted URAAN Pakistan as a national vision aiming to transition the country towards export-driven growth, digital transformation, and increased foreign exchange earnings, targeting $60 billion in exports by 2029.

Iqbal stressed the importance of inclusive growth for poverty alleviation and job creation. He underscored the role of technology in development, advocating for digital ecosystems in various sectors and positioning Pakistan as a regional IT hub.

The minister also addressed climate resilience, referencing the 2022 floods and the government’s recovery framework, alongside efforts to leverage solar and wind energy potential. He called for a revival of long-term visions like Vision 2025, aiming for a $1 trillion economy by 2035.

Dr. Nadeem Javaid, President of PSDE, introduced a model for bypassing traditional development stages through frontier technologies. Awais Manzur Sumra, Federal Secretary of MoPD and SI, described URAAN Pakistan as a strategic blueprint for economic growth, while Dr. Nasir Iqbal reaffirmed the Society’s role in linking research with policymaking.