- Planning minister terms engineers crucial for exports, technology-driven growth and climate resilience
- Claims Uraan Pakistan targets $1tr economy by 2035, $3tr by 2047, saying $8.5b investment agreements signed during PM’s China visit
- Vows to make more progress in CPEC JCC meeting scheduled in Beijing for Sept 26
LAHORE: Federal Minister for Planning and Development Prof. Ahsan Iqbal on Saturday said the recently signed defence agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia was an important milestone, warmly welcomed across the country, with people from all walks of life expressing joy and satisfaction over the development.
Speaking to the media after chairing the first meeting of Members of the Federation of Engineering Institutions of Pakistan here, he said that following the Marka-e-Haq (battle of truth), Pakistan had gained greater recognition, respect, and dignity at the global level. “We now have to move forward with a clear focus on future plans and challenges,” he stressed.
The minister recalled that the launch of CPEC Phase-II was formally announced during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent visit to China. “Now, the CPEC Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting is scheduled in Beijing on September 26, which I will attend, and Insha Allah, we will make further progress,” he added.
Prof. Iqbal underlined that no country’s defence could remain sustainable without a strong economy. Referring to the government’s Uraan Pakistan Project, he said its success largely depended on the role and cooperation of engineers, who were critical to boosting exports through innovation, technology-driven production, and improved industrial capacity. He added that building a strong export-oriented economy required modern infrastructure, which also rested on the shoulders of engineers.
Highlighting the importance of technology, he said engineers had a pivotal role in developing a knowledge-based economy, ensuring food and water security, and addressing climate change challenges. “We cannot reverse climate change, but we can create resilience in our economy and build better infrastructure that can withstand its impacts. For this, hydraulic studies are vital to understand water flows and prevent floods,” he noted.
The minister also pointed out that Pakistan’s high energy costs, aggravated by circular debt, inefficiencies, and leakages, could be addressed with engineers’ expertise. “Billions of rupees are being wasted, which should instead be spent on education, health, and infrastructure in underdeveloped areas,” he said.
Prof. Iqbal stressed that technology underpinned every sector of the global economy, with engineers serving as the bridge to human development. He assured that the Ministry of Planning and Development would implement recommendations of the engineering community and act as a link between government and the profession.
Inviting professionals at home and abroad to join the Uraan Pakistan initiative, he said the government had set the targets of becoming a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2035 and a three-trillion-dollar economy by 2047. With 60 percent of the population comprising youth, he announced that a national convention would soon be held, in which all universities would launch the Pakistan 2047 Lab to define where the country should stand by its centenary year. “This Lab will be led by young professionals, who will shoulder the main responsibility,” he added.
Referring to the recent visit to China, the minister said the private sector signed agreements worth $8.5 billion, as nearly 1,000 Pakistani and Chinese businesses pledged new investments in Pakistan. However, he warned that no investment could flourish without political stability and peace. “If we allow chaos and unrest to prevail, investors will stay away. Today, there is consensus among state institutions that while national security requires standing with our armed forces, it is equally vital to ensure stability so that seeds of development can grow and bear fruit for the people,” he argued.
Congratulating the engineering community on the establishment of the Federation of Pakistani Engineering Institutions, Prof. Iqbal expressed hope it would serve as one of the country’s most powerful think tanks, guiding the development process by harnessing the best of Pakistan’s engineering talent.
The meeting was attended by a large number of engineers from across the country, including Engineer Amir Zameer Ahmed Khan, Engineer Muhammad Usman Farooq, Engineer Tahir Basharat Cheema, Engineer Sarosh Hashmat Lodhi, and Engineer Qasim Qureshi.
