LAHORE
\nFederal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has said that Pakistan can achieve economic self-reliance and sustainable development through national unity, discipline, political stability and an export-led economy, as demonstrated by the nation and armed forces during the \u201cMarka-e-Haq\u201d on May 10,2025.
\nAddressing the South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) International Future of Finance Summit 2026 held at a local hotel here on Saturday,the minister said Pakistan had faced numerous challenges and many around the world believed that economic difficulties had weakened the country\u2019s determination.
\nHowever,he said the nation proved its resilience when India launched aggression against Pakistan last year.
\nHe said Pakistan responded as a united nation and its armed forces displayed extraordinary professionalism through an integrated multi-domain strategy involving close coordination among all three military services along with civil and military leadership.
\nAhsan Iqbal paid tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the \u201cMarka-e-Haq,\u201d stating that their sacrifices raised Pakistan\u2019s stature before the world.
\nHighlighting the discipline of the armed forces, he said military officers immediately comply with transfer orders and report to difficult areas without hesitation, while such discipline was often lacking in civilian institutions. He stressed the need to adopt a mission-oriented work culture in the civilian sector as well.
\nRecalling his visit to the family of a martyred soldier, the minister said the soldier\u2019s mother proudly told him not to offer condolences but congratulations because her son had embraced martyrdom for the country. He said such spirit of sacrifice and dedication was also essential for economic development. The minister expressed confidence that Pakistan could transform itself within the next decade if all segments of society collectively placed national interests above personal gains.
\nReferring to global examples, Ahsan Iqbal said countries such as China and Vietnam achieved extraordinary economic growth through continuity of policies, exports, foreign investment and industrial development. He noted that while Pakistan and Vietnam had almost equal export volumes around the year 2000, Vietnam\u2019s exports had now exceeded 480 billion dollars, whereas Pakistan\u2019s exports remained around 40 billion dollars.
\nSharing the success story of Vietnam\u2019s VinGroup, he said the company evolved from a small business into a multi-billion-dollar conglomerate through innovation, investment and commitment to national development. He stressed that Pakistan needed to replicate such success stories.
\nCriticizing bureaucratic hurdles, the minister said Pakistan\u2019s administrative structure often acted as \u201canti-business\u201d instead of \u201cpro-business,\u201d discouraging investment and industrial growth. He emphasized that exports were the only guarantee of economic sovereignty and pointed out that overseas Pakistanis sent around 44 billion dollars in remittances annually, while the country\u2019s exports stood at nearly 40 billion dollars despite a population of 240 million.
\nAhsan Iqbal said Pakistan must increase its exports to 400 billion dollars in the long term and at least 100 billion dollars by 2030, describing it as a national mission as important as achieving nuclear capability for defense.
\nHe said Pakistan had yet to develop a true export culture and stressed the need for value addition, branding, packaging and compliance with international standards.
\nThe minister highlighted the export potential of local industries and products, including Sialkot\u2019s cutlery, Gujranwala\u2019s fans, mangoes, dates, chillies, handicrafts and livestock products.
\nHe also underscored the importance of peace, political stability and continuity of policies, saying no country could progress amid political instability. Referring to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he regretted that opportunities created under the project were politicized despite strong Chinese interest in Pakistan.
\nCalling for long-term commitment and reforms, Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan needed a sustained struggle of 10 to 15 years for economic revival without relying on shortcuts.
\nHe concluded by saying that the future belonged to the private sector, while the government\u2019s role was to facilitate, empower and encourage businesses. He urged all stakeholders to work together for Pakistan\u2019s prosperity and economic independence<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LAHORE Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has said that Pakistan can achieve economic self-reliance and sustainable development through national unity, discipline, political stability and an export-led economy, as demonstrated by the nation and armed forces during the \u201cMarka-e-Haq\u201d on May 10,2025. Addressing the South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) International […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":476986,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-545584","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-business"},"yoast_head":"\n