Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives

Uraan Pakistan to Foster Economic Sustainability Through Federal and Provincial Synergy Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Prof Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, chaired a consultative meeting on the Uraan Pakistan Action Plan. The meeting was attended by secretaries of all ministries, chiefs, project directors, and federal and provincial officials. During the meeting, the Minister highlighted Uraan Pakistan’s primary goal of achieving sustainable development and accelerated economic growth. He directed each ministry to prioritize their objectives in line with Uraan Pakistan and designate a senior focal person to maintain consistent coordination and ensure progress. Additionally, ministries were instructed to identify three key factors that could contribute to stabilizing the economy. Prof Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the need to engage stakeholders through comprehensive strategies and proposed workshops to strengthen collaboration with provincial governments. He stressed that the transition to export-led growth is essential for long-term economic sustainability. The Minister pointed out that the current export level of $40 billion is insufficient, and export growth must be increased to $100 billion. He noted that two-thirds of the country’s exports come from low-value-added textile products, necessitating a major overhaul of the export ecosystem. Minister Iqbal acknowledged the recent progress in IT exports as a promising development. He shared the government’s vision of increasing IT exports from $3 billion to $10 billion by 2029 and underscored the importance of equipping the youth with training, skills, and opportunities to capitalize on the country’s demographic dividend. He also addressed the pressing issue of out-of-school children, stating that the 2.5 million children currently out of the education system must be brought back to school. This step, he emphasized, is crucial for unlocking the potential of Pakistan’s young population and driving sustainable economic growth. Reflecting on past economic challenges, the Minister noted that poor governance had led to a reduction in the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) from PKR 1,100 billion in 2018 to PKR 400 billion in 2022. However, he affirmed that the government has successfully restored PSDP, bringing the economy back on the path to stability. The Prime Minister’s “5 E’s” agenda—focused on Education, Health, Modern Technology, Green Energy, and Ethics—was reaffirmed as a fundamental framework for achieving development goals. Minister Iqbal concluded by reaffirming the government’s unwavering commitment to utilizing all available resources to achieve the objectives of Uraan Pakistan and ensure the continuity of policies at both federal and provincial levels.

A consultative meeting on the URAAN Pakistan Action Plan, chaired by Federal Minister for Planning Prof. Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary was held with representatives from federal ministries and provincial governments. Key directives by the Federal Minister: 1️⃣ directed all ministries’ to align priorities with URAAN Pakistan’s objectives and appoint focal persons for progress monitoring. 2️⃣ Lay out the plan to transition the economy towards export-led growth with a target of $100 billion in exports. 3️⃣ Focus on five priority areas: education, health, modern technology, green energy, and equitable rights. 4️⃣ Organize workshops to strengthen cooperation with provinces for nationwide implementation of 5Es Framework. #URAANPakistan #EconomicGrowth #Development #TeamPakistan #SustainableFuture

Today, under the leadership of Planning Minister Prof. Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary a consultative meeting was held with federal ministries and provincial governments to discuss the action plan for URAAN Pakistan. This initiative aims to transform Pakistan’s economy by focusing on sustainable, export-driven growth and addressing the country’s core challenges. Prof. Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the importance of adopting a comprehensive development framework based on the Five Es: 🔹 Export-Oriented Economy 🔹 E-Pakistan through Techno-Economy 🔹 Food Security & Water Resource Development 🔹 Affordable Energy & Modern Infrastructure 🔹 Inclusive Growth through Women & Youth Empowerment He urged all ministries and provinces to act as #TeamPakistan, ensuring seamless implementation of this transformative vision across the nation. Each ministry has been directed to identify priority projects and assign focal persons to align efforts with the national goals outlined under #URAANPakistan. Watch the Planning Minister’s live address here: https://lnkd.in/d52t-SpT

Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Prof Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary chaired a review meeting with the Public Private Partnership Authority (P3A) today to evaluate progress on key public interest projects. The minister instructed the Secretary of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) to prepare a focused agenda to review the timelines of projects signed with investment-friendly countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Azerbaijan. He emphasized, “Foreign investment can be efficiently harnessed by developing bankable commercial propositions targeted at export expansion, which will significantly benefit Pakistan. While discussing opportunities for earning revenue from public land, the Minister directed relevant officials to make commercialization plan for railway stations land. "Developed countries in the world have turned their railways stations into malls and big sources of revenue. We are still preserving the 20th century colonial model of railways." He stated that railway stations can be turned into an effective source of revenue by providing public use entertainment and shopping facilities. The minister also instructed officials to make actionable plans for reviving religious and cultural tourism to Gandhara region and Kartarpur corridor. The meeting concluded with Minister's direction to each ministry to submit three priority projects requiring P3A funding.

Prof. Ahsan Iqbal Directs National Rollout of Iqbal Academies to Promote Cultural Enlightenment In a strategic move to elevate Pakistan’s cultural diplomacy, the Ministry of Planning and Development arranged a high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister Prof. Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary. The agenda focused on expanding the capabilities of the Iqbal Academy and promoting the philosophical legacy of Allama Iqbal internationally. The session brought together senior officials from the National Heritage and Culture Division and representatives from Iqbal Academy. Minister Iqbal highlighted the integral role of Allama Iqbal’s teachings in enhancing Pakistan’s soft power and its global image. He emphasized the critical need for the establishment of the Iqbal Research Center in Sialkot and discussed strategies to transform Iqbal Academy into a robust and autonomous entity. “Allama Iqbal’s philosophical contributions are timeless assets that empower our youth and fortify our national identity on the global stage,” Prof. Iqbal remarked during the meeting. The meeting reviewed Iqbal Academy’s current endeavors and the Minister directed to map out a comprehensive strategy for its expansion across all provinces, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, aiming to make Iqbal’s works more accessible and influential amongst the younger generations. Prof. Iqbal stressed the urgency of these initiatives, noting, “The enhancement and widespread dissemination of Iqbal’s philosophy are crucial to integrate his visionary ideas into our educational systems and public consciousness.” The meeting concluded with Prof. Iqbal ensuring substantial governmental support, including financial investments from both federal and provincial budgets, to realize these educational and cultural expansions. “This initiative is not just about cultural preservation but about setting a precedent in utilizing philosophical heritage to forge a path for future generations,” said Prof. Iqbal.

🔴 In light of the current challenging economic conditions, the government has set ambitious targets under the #URAANPakistan initiative. How is the government planning to achieve billions in exports from the IT and agriculture sectors? Watch and Hear the answer from the Federal Minister of Planning and Development Prof Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary

Development journalism connects progress with people, ensuring communities are part of the develoment process from planning to evaluation. The Ministry’s work under URAAN PAKISTAN deserves praise for its focus on transparency and inclusion. #developmentjournalism #devcom

A high-level meeting was held under the Chairmanship of the Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives (PD&SI) Prof Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary to discuss the implementation of the Prime Minister's directives to conduct surveys on Small and Medium Enterprises (#SMEs) for providing base to evidence base decision making and policy formulation. The surveys on SMEs will be conducted by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics to determine market size and for formulation of well-informed policy for development of SME Sector. The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including the Secretary Industries and Production, Chairman NADRA, CEO SMEDA and Chief Statistician and Member (Support Service) of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics as well other senior officers. The Chief Statistician gave a presentation on the strategy to conduct the thirteen (13) survey on the prioritize sector of SMEs pursuant to the directive of the Honorable Prime Minister of Pakistan. The policy formulation and informed decision making as well required Interventions for promoting SME growth based on the surveys’ results will provide basis for economic growth, youth employment opportunities and exports by promoting SME’s. The Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that SMEs prioritized sectors must be those potential industries which can significantly contribute exports aligned with the vision envisaged in #URAANPakistan Program.  Furthermore, the Minister advised SMEDA to develop a mechanism in consultation with provincial governments, to register all business activities in the country through district administration and update the register on a regular basis. He also advised SMEDA to devise a framework in consultation with SBP that each bank will open dedicated credit window for export oriented SMEs. The surveys on SMEs will be conducted by utilizing the information of Economic Frame on which information collected by Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) during the 7th Population and Housing Census, 1st ever Digital Census. The Minister advised to focus on important aspect of SMEs especially the export. The important sectors of SMEs on which surveys will be conducted include ➡️ Small and Medium Manufacturing Enterprises, ➡️ Marine as well as Freshwater Fishing and Aquaculture, ➡️ Poultry Farms, ➡️ Software Development Activities, ➡️ Human Health and Social Work activities, ➡️ Education, ➡️ Accommodation and Food Service Activities and ➡️ Wholesale and Retail Trade etc The Federal Minister emphasized that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have the potential to contribute 40% to 60% to exports if provided with adequate banking support. This includes enhancing trade financing facilities, offering more accessible credit options, and developing innovative banking solutions to address the unique challenges faced by smaller industries in the export sector. The Minister emphasized the need for effective collaboration among stakeholders to achieve the goals.