ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior Ahsan Iqbal Tuesday stressed the need to become an economy-focused nation rather than a political nation to further boost the country’s development. “The political crisis during current year has dented the country’s rapidly growing economic journey. Therefore, we need to divert our attention from political issues to the economic development,” he said while talking to media after launching PC-1 Automation System here. Replying to a question, Ahsan Iqbal said due to some court decisions, a political turmoil like situation erupted in the country due to which the economic journey of the country was stopped and the country’s stock exchange had to face a huge loss of over Rs 16 billion in market capitalization. He said bringing the country’s economic situation out of crisis was one of the biggest achievements of the current government. Earlier, the Ministry of Planning launched PC-1 automation under which all information regarding any PC-1 will be available on finger tips. There are numerous reports available in the application that will enable users to classify the number of projects approved, rejected, and conditionally approved. The application will be able to track any PC-1 on different stages such as pending projects in technical section, rejected in CDWP meeting, and presented projects in CDWP meeting. Furthermore, the application will reduce the number of printed copies submitted to the Planning Commission. The application will also provide accuracy in daily office work and will provide more reliable information. Addressing the ceremony, Ahsan Iqbal said achieving promotion of modern technology for ensuring knowledge-based economy was the need of hour as today is the era of competition in higher economic growth. He said only those nations were developing on fast track who were effectively utilizing the modern technology. He said automation of PC-1 was a historical achievement which would help saving time and resources besides improving monitoring of the projects. He said automation of PC-1 was proof of commitment made by the government to digitize economy. “By acting upon its commitments made during the political campaign of PML-N, the government is taking concrete steps for digital Pakistan,” the minister remarked. He said that a few years ago, when the government initiated laptop scheme for the students, the opponents of PML-N opposed this plan, and now due to this scheme and the government’s steps in making digital Pakistan, the country has become the fourth largest free-lancing service provider in the world. He said the government has allocated over Rs 1 billion for providing information technology training to 100,000 youths. “We need to call an all parties conference on political and economic stability, rather than on arranging sit-ins,” he said. Separately, Ahsan Iqbal said people of Gwadar were the top priority in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and instructed for immediate resolution of water and power supply issues in the port city. He expressed these views while presiding a high level meeting on Gwadar projects at the Planning Commission. The meeting was attended by Secretary Planning Shoaib Ahmad Saddiqui, Chief Secretary Balochistan Aurangzeb Haque, senior officials from line ministries and government of Balochistan and the Chinese Embassy. Officials from Gwadar Development Authority and Ministry of Energy briefed the participants on the Gwadar Master City Plan, power projects and water supply issues of Gwadar. Ahsan Iqbal said that the plan for Gwadar city must be a comprehensive document, including all the aspect of a modern port city and in line with requirements of the CPEC. He instructed that the plan should ensure provision of an integrated rail, road and air transport infrastructure system. The minister highlighted that the Gwadar Master City Plan must cover the present and future maritime trends and assessment of other regional ports. “To make Gwadar a competitive port, the plan should come up with solutions,” he remarked while commenting on the briefing by GDA. Published in Daily Times, December 27th 2017.