Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives

Planning Ministry is launching an exciting interactive forum #AskYourMinister, where Minister Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary will personally address your questions in a live session. Drop your questions in the comments below on social media. Selected questions will be answered live. 📅 Stay tuned for the live session details!

#ML1 #Railway #CPEC2.0 Prof Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary BOARD OF INVESTMENT China Pakistan Economic Corridor - CPEC Pakistan Railways

#CPEC2.0 #GwadarPort #RisingPakistan Prof Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary Gwadar Today China Pakistan Economic Corridor - CPEC BOARD OF INVESTMENT

#GreenRevolution #CPEC2.0 #5EsFramework #InvestinPakistan #RisingPakistan Prof Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary China Pakistan Economic Corridor - CPEC Ministry of Food and Agriculture BOARD OF INVESTMENT

Federal Minister Prof Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary chaired a review meeting of the focal groups constituted by the Prime Minister to analyze recommendations made by the Chinese working team. The meeting was held in Islamabad on Tuesday and included Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Secretary Planning Awais Manzur S., the Chairman of the National Highway Authority and high-ranking officials from various ministries and divisions, including Communication, Investment, Petroleum & Natural Resources, National Food Security, Power, Commerce, Economic Affairs, Interior, and Railways. This was the third meeting chaired by Minister Ahsan Iqbal, following the Prime Minister's directives, to review the draft plans prepared by the focal groups. The Minister emphasized the need for action plans for implementation with timelines. He further stressed the need to highlight where Pakistan has already made progress. During review of agriculture sector, the Ministry of Food Security highlighted that Pakistan lacks a long-term, comprehensive, and independent development plan for the sector. Minister Ahsan Iqbal directed the Ministry to engage all provinces, private sector stakeholders, and form a task force to draft an national agriculture development plan “Green Revolution 2.0”, which should be shared with the Chinese experts for their input. He also directed that CPEC five-year plan be finalized at the earliest. The meeting also reviewed the progress on Gwadar's connectivity. The concerned authorities reported that the #M8 Gwadar-Hoshab (200 km) and #Khuzdar-#RatoDero (250 km) sections have been completed, with work on the #Hoshab-#Awaran-#Naal section is ongoing. The Minister emphasized that while billions of rupees have been invested in infrastructure development, efforts must also be made on creating economic benefits for backward areas through new connectivity. He also highlighted the importance of creating transshipment activities at Gwadar Port and directed the relevant authorities to expedite the feasibility study for the second phase of the #EastbayExpressway. While reviewing the mega CPEC project #MLI the Minister Ahsan Iqbal directed the authorities to fast-track the ML-I railway project in coordination with the Chinese side, following the Chinese Premier's commitment to advancing the project. He stressed the need for Pakistan Railways to enhance its organizational capacity, citing global examples where railway departments generate revenue through commercial utilization of valuable real estate. In the information technology sector, Minister Ahsan Iqbal underscored the importance of emerging technologies and called for expedited efforts to promote student exchanges in IT and Artificial Intelligence (AI) with China. The meeting also reviewed the ongoing efforts to ensure a consistent supply of clean drinking water and electricity to Gwadar.

🌸 Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Self-Exam Training Session 🌸 In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we concluded our campaign with a free breast self-exam training session for our female employees. We encourage everyone to take proactive steps toward their health and well-being for a cancer-free Pakistan! #GenderUnit #BreastCancerAwareness #SDG5 #PlanningCommission #Pakistan ________________________________________________________________ Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary Wajiha Qamar Ministry of Planning Development and Special Initiatives World Health Organization Government of Pakistan Shifa International Hospitals Limited Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Rafiullah Kakar Barira Hanif Zaineb Arshad Pashmina Abid

We are looking for creative Development Communication Professionals to help up promote SDGs and development communications. Top quality professionals with experience in creative campaign design and execution are encouraged to apply.

A group of 25 senior officials from the National Institute of Banking and Finance (NIBAF), State Bank of Pakistan, was briefed by senior officials of the Planning Commission to deepen their understanding of the ministry’s role in formulating social and economic development programs. The attendees, all serving as joint directors across various State Bank departments, participated to expand their perspective on emerging socio-economic challenges facing Pakistan. During his address to the delegation, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary highlighted essential factors influencing national progress. He noted that the success of neighboring South Asian nations—such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka—has largely been a result of political stability and policy continuity. “There are four essential ingredients for any nation’s success: peace, stability, policy continuity, and continuous reforms,” stated Minister Ahsan Iqbal. Minister Iqbal explained that countries which have demonstrated sustained economic growth have often done so under long-standing government leadership. Using examples from Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka, he pointed out that these nations have seen accelerated growth due to consistent governance. He contrasted this with Pakistan’s challenges, stating, “Every time the PML-N government set forth a vision, it faced setbacks, whether from shifts to military regimes or opposition-led governments.” Minister Iqbal recounted that Vision 2010, formulated by the government in 1998, was disrupted by the 1999 martial law. Similarly, Vision 2025, launched in 2013 with the goal of elevating Pakistan to one of the top 25 economies globally, faced challenges with the change in leadership in 2018. These political shifts, he noted, hindered Pakistan’s sustained growth. Describing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a pivotal element in Pakistan’s economic landscape, Minister Iqbal stated, “CPEC has attracted $25 billion in investments over a three-year span, showcasing its transformative impact on our economy.” He reiterated that CPEC remains a game-changer, bringing not only infrastructure investments but also fostering strategic development partnerships. Reflecting on the state of the economy inherited by the current government, Minister Iqbal acknowledged the need for challenging policy decisions to stabilize the nation’s financial trajectory. He noted that to address the IMF conditions set during the previous administration, the government had undertaken reforms across several sectors, including education, economy, and health. In outlining the government’s priority, Minister Iqbal emphasized the importance of fostering export-led growth, which he described as crucial for enhancing Pakistan’s productivity and building a global reputation for Pakistani products. “Increasing our export capacity is essential for establishing a strong, reliable name for Pakistani goods in international markets,” he concluded.

Government Reaffirms Commitment to Disability Inclusion | Electric Wheelchair Program Relaunched to Enhance Accessibility for Disabled Students At the National Consultation on the United Nations Disability Inclusion Strategy, Planning Minister, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive development framework that empowers every citizen, regardless of physical or mental limitations. Addressing an audience of government officials, UN representatives, and social sector leaders, Prof. Iqbal outlined key initiatives that place disability inclusion at the forefront of Pakistan’s development strategy. In his speech, Prof. Iqbal emphasized that true development is rooted in human-centric policies and the empowerment of individuals, not merely in physical infrastructure. He highlighted Vision 2025 as a guiding principle, with human development as its central objective, ensuring equal opportunities for all, including persons with disabilities. The Planning Minister outlined four foundational pillars for sustainable growth: peace, political stability, policy continuity, and continuous reforms. He noted that Vision 2025, launched in 2013, integrates these pillars to drive lasting progress. However, he acknowledged that political instability has occasionally disrupted Pakistan’s development journey, necessitating repeated restarts. Among the initiatives supporting disabled citizens, Prof. Iqbal underscored a program distributing #electric_wheelchairs to students with disabilities in higher education, originally launched during the previous term. "This program allowed students with disabilities to independently access libraries, classrooms, and laboratories," he shared, noting the universities' mandate to install ramps and other accessibility features, creating inclusive learning environments. Prof. Iqbal further highlighted the program’s recent revival, following a four-year interruption, underscoring the government’s dedication to a supportive infrastructure. Additionally, Prof. Iqbal spotlighted the recognition of exceptional disabled achievers through national honors, mentioning Khansa Maria, a visually impaired Pakistani student awarded a Rhodes Scholarship at University of Oxford and a Civil Award by Government of Pakistan for her achievements. "Honoring individuals like Khansa Maria exemplifies Pakistan’s commitment to fostering an inclusive society that celebrates resilience and achievement," he stated. Expressing gratitude to the United Nations, Prof. Iqbal emphasized that the UN’s Disability Inclusion Strategy aligns with Pakistan’s #5EsFramework, dedicated to equitable growth opportunities. Prof. Iqbal concluded by urging society to recognize the potential within every individual, stating, "Disability is no barrier if one can dream, believe in oneself, and strive forward."

As the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) approaches, Planning Minister Prof. Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary chaired a high-level preparatory meeting, highlighting Pakistan’s urgent need for global support in confronting the intensifying climate crisis. Despite contributing less than 1% to global emissions, Pakistan remains one of the top seven countries most vulnerable to climate impacts, positioning it at the forefront of resilience and adaptation challenges. “Pakistan is not only the worst victim of the climate crisis but also the most resilient. The devastating floods of 2010 and 2022 demonstrated our capacity to persevere, yet these challenges surpass our national resources,” stated Prof. Ahsan Iqbal. “Our preparedness efforts have saved lives, but the scale of these impacts demands immediate and sustained international support.” Prof. Iqbal emphasized that, although the 2022 floods were three times more severe than those in 2010, strategic preparedness helped mitigate human loss, underscoring the life-saving importance of resilience planning. However, he added that maintaining this progress would require continued resources and expertise. In response to these recurring climate challenges, Pakistan launched the 4RF (Resilient Recovery, Rehabilitation, and Reconstruction Framework), which focuses on strengthening infrastructure, supporting vulnerable communities, and enhancing adaptation in vital sectors. Looking ahead to #COP2024, scheduled for November 11-22 in Baku, Azerbaijan, Prof. Iqbal directed the preparation of a roundtable that will gather climate experts, international specialists, and environmental organizations to drive coordinated strategies and regional collaboration. He urged the global community to rally behind climate-affected nations and promote policy initiatives that aim to limit global warming to 1.5°C. The meeting was attended by Dr. Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant on Foreign Affairs; Dr. Abid Qayyum Sulehri of SDPI; Ms. Romina Khurshid Alam, Coordinator to the Prime Minister on Climate Change & Environmental Coordination; and representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The conference presents a critical opportunity for Pakistan to highlight its resilience efforts, advocate for international aid, and contribute to a unified, accelerated response to climate change.