Islamabad, In a significant step towards Pakistan’s sustainable development and economic revival, the first Steering Committee meeting on the 5Es framework was convened on Wednesday, led by Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal. The session, attended by high-ranking officials from federal and provincial ministries, laid the groundwork for a ‘consultative workshop’ to be held post-Eid. This workshop aims to refine and implement the 5Es action plan, focusing on Exports, E-Pakistan, Environment and climate change, energy and infrastructure, and equity and empowerment.
According to Press Information Department, this initiative follows the National Economic Council’s endorsement last June, with the Planning Ministry accelerating the framework’s implementation. The upcoming workshop will invite stakeholders and experts across various sectors, including academia and industry, to contribute proposals toward finalizing the action plan.
During the meeting, Minister Iqbal urged all ministries to prepare comprehensive proposals for their respective focus areas within the 5Es framework, highlighting the critical need to bolster Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves through increased exports. He delineated an ambitious vision to transform Pakistan into a $100 billion export-oriented economy within the next 7 to 8 years, underscoring the transformative potential of this initiative for the nation’s future.
The minister also stressed the importance of modernizing infrastructure and adopting digital technology to drive growth across agriculture, industry, and services sectors. Emphasizing governance improvement and the economy’s modernization as top priorities, Iqbal called for digitization and the creation of a knowledge-based economy infrastructure.
Additionally, the Planning Minister highlighted the necessity for energy sector self-sufficiency and the provision of affordable energy to boost productivity. He advocated for equitable development across the social sector and significant health sector reforms through collaboration with provinces.
This comprehensive approach signifies a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s history, aiming to leverage technological advancements and strategic planning to achieve substantial economic growth and societal advancement.