Islamabad: Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal has called for a transformative change in Pakistan’s media and political discourse, urging media organizations to prioritize the country’s development issues over political controversies. He emphasized that a national conversation focused on development and positive interventions is crucial for shaping Pakistan’s future.

According to Press Information Department, Ahsan Iqbal addressed these concerns at a Media Dialogue on Media Literacy and Development Journalism, organized by the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives. During the event, he highlighted that political disputes often overshadow critical issues that significantly impact Pakistan’s future, receiving inadequate public and media attention.

The minister identified the media as a stakeholder in Pakistan’s growth, with a role in bringing social issues and development into public debate, examining development outcomes, and highlighting initiatives that provide tangible benefits to citizens. He underscored the need to prioritize fundamental development issues, including education, human capital, child nutrition, population growth, women’s empowerment, economic sovereignty, food security, and water management.

Ahsan Iqbal noted that development journalism should not shy away from criticism but rather hold institutions and policymakers accountable while also reporting on innovation and positive social change. He cited international media practices as a model, suggesting that development issues require a more prominent place on the public agenda.

The minister pointed to education and child nutrition as urgent priorities and warned of the pressures from rapid population growth on essential resources. He also called for a shift in economic focus from consumption-driven growth to production and exports to enhance Pakistan’s economic sovereignty.

He urged journalists to maintain a national conversation on these pressing issues, stressing that Pakistan’s long-term prospects depend on a collective commitment to human development and economic resilience. Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the media’s responsibility to foster informed public debate and create a development-focused narrative for Pakistan.