Pakistan’s Economy Needs to Heat Up: Ahsan Iqbal

Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal declared that Pakistan should prioritize raising its economy, rather than focusing on physical infrastructure like roads. At a gathering to assess the progress of the CPEC Action Plan 2025–2029, he emphasized the need for Pakistani exports to hit $100 billion by 2035 for the country's survival. The meeting evaluated achievements from the first year of the plan and debated strategies to accelerate work on the established priorities.

Iqbal highlighted the enduring strength of Pakistan-China relations throughout challenging times, citing China's investments during Pakistan's energy crisis. CPEC Phase-I attracted around $25 billion in Chinese capital, which expanded Pakistan's electricity generation capacity by approximately 8,000 MW. He further outlined that CPEC Phase-II would build upon the initial phase by concentrating on business-to-business collaboration, industrial growth, agricultural advancements, mineral exploration, human capital development, and technology.

The minister explained that CPEC Phase-II's priorities are intrinsically linked to URAAN Pakistan's five key pillars: Growth, Livelihood, Innovation, Green Economy, and Openness. The Growth Corridor would enhance Pakistan's industrial and agricultural capacities, thereby boosting exports. The Livelihood Corridor would foster social development and bolster less-developed regions. The Innovation Corridor would aim to enhance Pakistan's IT capabilities and provide modern technological skills to the younger generation.

Iqbal underscored Pakistan's youthful demographic as its most valuable asset for future economic growth. He also stressed the government's initiative to send 1,000 agricultural experts to China for training in modern farming technologies. This endeavor aims to cultivate skilled human resources and contribute to a "Green Revolution 2.0" through improved seeds, farm mechanization, efficient water utilization, and climate-resilient crops.

The minister described the target of achieving $100 billion in exports by 2035 as a "national emergency" and called for stronger collaboration between the government and private sector to bolster competitiveness and establish "Made in Pakistan" as a globally recognized brand.

Setting a directive for ministries, Iqbal underscored the necessity of timely execution of the CPEC Phase-II action plan. He stressed that ensuring economic development is essential for Pakistan's future and a brighter outlook for its youth.