LAHORE: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Prof. Ahsan Iqbal has said that sustainable national development is only possible through continuity in policies, educational reform, and a collective commitment to peace and stability.
Speaking at the Global Education Conference and International School Awards held at a local hotel on Sunday, Ahsan Iqbal said that if Pakistan maintains consistency in national policies and prioritises education for the next decade, it can join the ranks of developed nations.
The event brought together leading educationists, institutional heads, and representatives from various educational organisations across the country.
The planning minister said that under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership, the government is pursuing the “Uraan-e-Pakistan” vision aimed at setting the nation on a path toward long-term prosperity and reform.
Highlighting the role of teachers ahead of World Teachers’ Day, he said teachers are the architects of national progress. “Parents bring a child into the world, but a teacher teaches how to live in it,” he remarked, acknowledging his own mentors for shaping his career and character.
Ahsan Iqbal stressed that education is the most valuable investment any nation can make, the foundation for eliminating poverty, creating employment, and ensuring social stability. He warned that Pakistan’s frequent policy disruptions have hindered progress, saying the country has already suffered three major economic setbacks and cannot afford another.
He called for adopting long-term, evidence-based planning and learning from countries that achieved success through sustained reform and institutional stability.
“Quality education and dedicated teachers are the true engines of national development,” he said, urging global collaboration through teacher exchange programs, student partnerships, and joint research initiatives to raise academic standards and strengthen mutual understanding among nations.
