DUBAI: Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has said Pakistan has set an ambitious export target of $60 billion by 2029 as part of a long-term strategy aimed at strengthening the country’s presence in global trade. Read More: Pakistan eyes $6-8bn mineral exports: Ahsan Iqbal Speaking during his visit to the Pakistan Pavilion at Gulfood 2026 […]
Ahsan Iqbal
Pakistan eyes $6-8bn mineral exports: Ahsan Iqbal
Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan’s mineral exports could reach $6-8 billion annually this decade with value addition. He emphasized moving beyond raw extraction toward processing, refining, and industrial clusters. China’s partnership, he said, is central to achieving this goal. Addressing the Pak-China Mineral Cooperation Forum in Islamabad, Iqbal stressed the need for mineral […]
Ahsan calls for strong cybersecurity to counter misinformation
Federal Minister for Planning and Development Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Friday warned that misinformation and digital disinformation have emerged as major global threats, stressing the need to build digital resilience through education, awareness and strong cybersecurity measures. Addressing a panel discussion titled “Building Digital Resilience” at Afkar-e-Taza – Thinkfest 2026, held at Alhamra, here on […]
Ahsan Iqbal defends Pakistan’s role on Trump’s board
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has joined US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, aiming to support ceasefires and reconstruction in Gaza. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal defended the move, saying Pakistan contributes alongside Muslim nations like Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar, and the UAE. The decision sparked criticism from opposition parties over lack of parliamentary consultation. Iqbal said Pakistan […]
Government dismisses rumours of raising voting age as baseless
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Thursday termed reports regarding raising the voting age in Pakistan from 18 to 25 as “baseless”, saying there was “no such legislation under consideration”. There is an emerging political discussion in the country about raising the voting age from 18 to 25. While no formal bill has been tabled yet, […]
Long range shooter Mohsin Nawaz meets Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal to discuss vision for shooting sports
Lahore: Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary convened with Mohsin Nawaz, Pakistan’s most decorated F-Class shooter, to assess opportunities for expanding sports infrastructure and improving equipment import policies. Nawaz arrived at the meeting with specific recommendations. He proposed developing 50-meter shooting facilities in major cities and reducing customs duties on […]
Panel proposes urgent reforms to boost exports and avoid future IMF loans
A panel appointed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has recommended urgent reforms aimed at improving the ease of doing business and sharply increasing exports, in a bid to avert another International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme once the current arrangement ends in 2027. The committee, led by Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, warned that Pakistan’s current economic […]
After Marka-e-Haq, success to be achieved in battle of development: Ahsan Iqbal
Federal Minister for Planning and Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal has said that after Marka-e-Haq, Pakistan will also achieve success in the battle of development. He added that engineers play a pivotal role in national progress. He said the national economy has moved in the right direction and Pakistan will be transformed into […]
Blue economy termed key to Pakistan’s sustainable growth
Federal Minister for Planning, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, emphasized on Friday that the blue economy holds immense potential to drive sustainable economic development in Pakistan, urging the full utilization of the country’s extensive coastline and maritime resources. Speaking at a high-level meeting on the ‘Blue Economy,’ the minister highlighted Pakistan’s over 1,000 kilometers of coastline and […]
Pakistan’s GDP grows 3.71% in Q1 FY2026, says Ahsan Iqbal
Pakistan posted a gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 3.71% during the first quarter of FY2026, said Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, on Tuesday. “This is 2.15% more than the corresponding number of Q1 2024-25,” said the federal minister in a social media post. “This defines a qualitative change in […]