Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives

اس میلاد النبی ﷺ کے مقدس موقع پر آئیں ہم نبی اکرم ﷺ کے اخلاق و کردار کو اپنی زندگیوں کا حصہ بنائیں اور انسانیت، بھائی چارے، اور عدل و انصاف کو فروغ دے کر ایک مضبوط اور پرامن معاشرہ قائم کریں۔ ‫#سیرت_النبی #اخوت_و_بھائی_چارہ #امن_و_انصاف #تعلیمات_نبوی #رحمت_للعالمین ‬

Government Reaffirms Commitment to Resolving Bottlenecks in CPEC Projects Federal Minister Prof. Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Chinese Investment Projects (CCoCIP) here in Islamabad on Monday. The meeting was attended by key Government officials, including Federal Minister for Petroleum Division, Mr. Musadiq Malik, Federal Minister for Energy, Mr. Awais Laghari, Federal Minister for Commerce, Mr. Jam Kamal Khan, and Secretaries from the relevant Ministries, along with representatives from the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Secretariat and the Planning Ministry. The agenda of the meeting revolved around expediting several ongoing projects under the CPEC framework. Discussions covered the provision of electricity to the Rashakai Special Economic Zone (SEZ), import/export policies for Gwadar Free Zone, transit trade with Afghanistan and Central Asian countries via Gwadar Port, international transshipment of seafood, and the development of the Karachi Coastal Comprehensive Development Zone. Addressing the meeting, the Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the need for a proactive approach in serving investors. "We must treat our investors like customers," he remarked. He further directed all relevant ministries to provide their comments on pending matters within few days to ensure smooth progress. "Decisions should be taken swiftly, and investors should not be kept waiting for long, as delays discourage investment," the Minister stressed. The Minister for planing directed secretaries of the line ministries to develop an actionable plans and address unresolved issues and pendencies. Discussing security measures for Chinese officials working on CPEC projects, Ahsan Iqbal stressed that security protocols should not create an atmosphere of fear or hinder business operations. The committee concluded by reiterating the government’s commitment to resolving any bottlenecks faced by Chinese investors and ensuring that CPEC projects continue to progress without delays. Ahsan Iqbal called for enhanced coordination between Ministries and smooth decision-making to boost investor confidence and accelerate the realization of key projects.

Pakistan, Positioned as an Emerging Investment Destination, Focus Shifts from Security to Economy Federal Minister Prof. Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, participated as the Chief Guest at the inauguration ceremony of the "Investment Value Chain" at the National Incubation Center for Aerospace Technologies (NICAT), marking the occasion of International Science, Technology, and Innovation Day. In his address, he highlighted the significant steps taken by the Government of Pakistan in the fields of science and technology and reaffirmed the commitment to transforming Pakistan into a modern, technology-driven economy. Prof. Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that Pakistan holds a unique history and strategic geographic importance. Despite facing various challenges, the country has learned from its hardships and emerged stronger. He remarked, "Pakistan, though faced with numerous difficulties in its early days, is now the world's seventh nuclear power. Our industrial and defense sectors have made remarkable advancements, exemplified by the development of state-of-the-art aircraft like the JF-17 Thunder." The minister shed light on the government's major scientific and technological initiatives at the national level. These include the establishment of ➡ National Centre for Artificial Intelligence, ➡ National Centre for Cyber Security, ➡ National Centre for Robotics and Automation, ➡ National Centre for Big Data and Cloud Computing, and ➡ National Centre for Genomics. He noted that these centers are playing a crucial role in fostering a robust scientific environment within the country. Prof. Iqbal stressed the urgent need to equip Pakistan's youth with digital skills, stating that future progress will belong to nations that adopt modern technologies. He announced the launch of a new program in collaboration with Google, aimed at providing digital skills training to young people. Additionally, he mentioned a recent agreement with China’s Huawei, which will train 200,000 Pakistani youth in IT skills annually. Prof. Iqbal also spoke about the government's efforts to enhance research laboratories in universities, aimed at solving industry-related challenges. He called for stronger links between universities and industries to promote innovation-driven growth in Pakistan. Acknowledging the challenges Pakistan has faced in its journey towards development, Prof. Iqbal encouraged the nation not to lose hope. He remarked, "We must learn from our failures and move forward. If we ensure peace and stability in the next five years, Pakistan can witness unparalleled progress over the next twenty-four years." He further noted that Pakistan is now being promoted as an "Investment Destination" and that the global community views Pakistan as a country of investment opportunities, rather than just a security concern.

Celebrating International Day of #Science #Technology and #Innovation: Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal’s Message on the Occasion!

وفاقی وزیر منصوبہ بندی،ترقی و خصوصی اقدامات، پروفیسر احسن اقبال کا اقبال منزل نارووال میں سالانہ محفل میلاد مصطفےﷺ میں خطاب #MiladUnNabiMubarak #PropheticTeachings #ProphetMuhammadSAW #PeaceBeUponHim #rabiulawal2024 #ProfAhsanIqbal

Message from Federal Minister for Planning, Prof Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary on the occasion of Democracy Day The bright future of Pakistan is linked to the continuity of the democratic process and the stability of institutions. We must set aside our differences and strengthen democratic institutions. In the past, repeated interruptions in the democratic process have led to political instability and economic decline. We all must work together to promote democracy and economic development. In every sector of progress, Pakistan is lagging in global competition today. We need to adopt a path of development by fostering a hard-working, innovative, quality-driven, and knowledge-based economy. The modern world’s concept of democracy is that no one should be left behind in the development process. True democracy means embracing transparency in national development and bringing along individuals from all walks of life. After coming into power, we initiated a consultation process with educated individuals both within and outside Parliament, who have a passion for Pakistan. In 2022, we developed the 5 Es Framework through consultation with more than a thousand experts from various fields, both from within the country and abroad. Today, we are in the final stage of finalizing the 13th Five-Year Plan for the practical implementation of this framework. To ensure that no aspect of development is overlooked, we have formed a policy board consisting of experts from the private, business, and social sectors. Our firm resolve is to make Pakistan a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2035. For this, we need democratic stability and continuity of policies. We must defeat all those who attempt to disrupt this process. We need to link the democratic process with development, as this is the only path to our survival and success. #DemocracyDay #PakistanFuture #EconomicDevelopment #DemocraticStability #5EsFramework #TrillionDollarEconomy #Transparency #Innovation #PolicyContinuity

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My comments in the visitors book of our Space Agency SUPARCO.

Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary Visits Pakistan's "Space Program" at Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Comission (SUPARCO) Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary conducted a detailed review of Pakistan's "Space Program" at SUPARCO. During his address, the Minister emphasized that the future economy will be technology-driven, and for Pakistan’s development, it is crucial to ensure continuity in policies. He highlighted that space advancement is vital for national sovereignty and stability and plays a key role in modern economies. The Minister pointed out that the signing of the MM1 Agreement in 2018 was a historic milestone, paving the way for the development of Pakistan’s space technology. He underscored that space technology not only plays a pivotal role in national defense but is also critical for the economic and social sectors, such as climate change, resource monitoring, and disaster management. The technology has significantly contributed to reducing project costs and ensuring their timely completion. Moreover, the Minister commended the role of geospatial technology, stating that it has been instrumental in disaster management, particularly in response to climate-related challenges. He reiterated that the government is continuously taking measures to promote innovation and progress in technology to equip the country with the tools to tackle future challenges effectively. Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal further stated that ensuring policy continuity is essential for achieving economic stability. He noted that other nations have successfully achieved their development goals by maintaining consistent policies, and Pakistan must do the same to avoid lagging in global progress. He added that the space program is creating new opportunities for advancement across multiple sectors in Pakistan, which will serve as a significant milestone in driving the country toward a digital economy. Investment in space technology will play a crucial role in strengthening Pakistan's future economic power.