LAHORE
\nFederal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Prof. Ahsan Iqbal has said that sustainable national development was only possible through continuity in policies, reforms, and a firm commitment to education and peace.
\nHe said that if Pakistan ensures consistency in its national policies and gives top priority to education for at least ten years, the country could join the ranks of world\u2019s developed nations.
\nHe expressed these views while addressing the Global Education Conference and International School Awards held at a local hotel on Sunday.
\nThe event brought together prominent educationists, heads of institutions, and representatives of various educational organizations from across the country.
\nThe planning minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, efforts were being made to lead the nation toward a brighter and more prosperous future under the \u201cUraan-e-Pakistan\u201d vision.
\nHighlighting the significance of World Teachers\u2019 Day, the minister said that teachers play a vital role in shaping societies and building nations. He said it was the collective responsibility of all segments of society to uphold the dignity and respect of teachers, as they were the architects of the nation\u2019s future. \u201cParents bring a child into the world, but a teacher teaches how to live in it,\u201d he remarked, adding that whatever success he achieved in life was due to the guidance and mentorship of his teachers.
\nThe minister said that education was the most valuable investment for any country and the key to eliminating poverty, creating employment opportunities, and ensuring social stability.
\nHe warned that lack of policy continuity repeatedly pushes nations back to square one, adding that Pakistan had faced three major economic setbacks in its history and could not afford another.
\nHe stressed the need for learning from countries that achieved progress through consistency, long-term planning, and evidence-based policymaking.
\nHe added that a modern and research-oriented educational system enhances both individual and collective capacities, while teachers were the cornerstone of intellectual and moral development. \u201cThe quality of a nation\u2019s human resource depends on the quality of its education system, which in turn reflects the dedication of its teachers,\u201d he added.
\nAhsan Iqbal called for national and international collaboration to protect the rights and responsibilities of teachers and to make this noble profession more effective globally. He appreciated initiatives such as teacher exchange programs, international student collaborations, and joint research projects, saying these efforts help strengthen academic standards and promote harmony among nations.
\nSharing his personal experience, the minister said he entered politics with a vision based on peace, education, and development. \u201cBy defeating powerful feudal lords in Narowal, I proved that the people support the vision of progress and learning,\u201d he stated.
\nReferring to educational development in Narowal, he said that previously, the district lacked even a single university campus, which deprived many talented students of higher education opportunities.
\n\u201cToday, thanks to the establishment of multiple campuses of leading universities, thousands of students are fulfilling their educational aspirations,\u201d he added.
\nLater, the minister congratulated the organizers of the Global Education Conference and distributed awards among heads of outstanding educational institutions.
\nVice Chancellor of the University of South Asia Imran Masood presented a commemorative shield to the federal minister.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LAHORE Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Prof. Ahsan Iqbal has said that sustainable national development was only possible through continuity in policies, reforms, and a firm commitment to education and peace. He said that if Pakistan ensures consistency in its national policies and gives top priority to education for at least ten […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-506856","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n