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 […]
Ahsan Iqbal
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 […]
Minister reviews Rs 2.1tr hydropower portfolio; seeks 3-year completion plan
Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Prof Ahsan Iqbal on Monday reviewed Rs 2.1 trillion Power, hydel power portfolio and sought three-year completion plan. The Minister has chaired a high-level meeting to review critical Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) projects in the power and hydel energy sectors, directing the Power Division to prioritise […]
Ahsan Iqbal issues clarification on disruption during live TV show
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal reacted to the speculation surrounding the brief disruption of his interview with a private TV channel, saying, “I hope we can avoid unnecessary politicisation of this”. On Thursday night, the minister joined a programme, which was being broadcast live, via a video link. As the minister discussed the matter of talks […]
Ahsan Iqbal urges restraint over ARY News interview disruption
Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Friday sought to dispel speculation surrounding the brief disruption of his live interview on ARY News, urging the public to avoid what he described as “unnecessary politicisation” of the incident. Read More: Ahsan Iqbal calls for deeper Pak-China cooperation on industry The interruption occurred on Thursday night when the minister joined […]
Political instability hurting national progress, says Ahsan Iqbal
Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said on Thursday that Pakistan’s major challenges stem not from a shortage of resources, but from persistent political instability, policy inconsistency and weak institutions. He stressed that neglect of education, lack of discipline and poor governance have continued to hold the country back. Read More: Pakistan back on track of stability, […]
Minister stresses evidence-based decisions in education policy
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday emphasised the need for evidence-based decision-making to guide education policy in Pakistan. He said the effective use of data and research was essential to align the education system with national development goals. Read More: Challenges and prospects of Education Policy 2021: University of […]
Ahsan Iqbal credits Nawaz for development projects in country
Federal Minister for Planning Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal said on Saturday that Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had introduced development based politics in the country. He said this while addressing the launching ceremony of the book titled ‘Mard-e-Ahan Muhammad Nawaz Sharif’ written by Muhammad Nawaz Raza at Lahore Press Club. He said, “Nawaz Sharif […]