Islamabad: Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, convened a consultative meeting to discuss the Uraan Pakistan Action Plan, which aims to drive sustainable development and boost economic growth. The meeting included secretaries of all ministries, chiefs, project directors, and other officials. Iqbal urged ministries to align their objectives with Uraan Pakistan’s goals and to identify factors that could stabilize the economy.

According to a statement by Press Information Department, Ahsan Iqbal stressed the need for a transition to export-led growth, citing the current export level of $40 billion as insufficient. He stated that the country must aim to increase exports to $100 billion. The Minister highlighted the dominance of low-value-added textile products in exports and called for a transformation in the export ecosystem.

Iqbal recognized recent gains in IT exports as promising and shared the government’s vision to increase IT exports from $3 billion to $10 billion by 2029. He emphasized the importance of equipping young people with necessary skills and opportunities. The Minister also addressed the issue of 2.5 million out-of-school children, stressing that their reintegration into the education system is crucial for economic growth.

Reflecting on past governance challenges, Iqbal noted the reduction of the Public Sector Development Program from PKR 1,100 billion in 2018 to PKR 400 billion in 2022, attributing it to poor governance. However, he claimed that the government has restored the PSDP, stabilizing the economy.

The Minister reaffirmed the importance of the Prime Minister’s “5 E’s” agenda—Education, Health, Modern Technology, Green Energy, and Ethics—as crucial development frameworks. He concluded by pledging the government’s commitment to the goals of Uraan Pakistan and ensuring policy continuity at all levels.