ISLAMABAD: Professor Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, said that the main focus of the “Pakistan Arwani” program is to promote education, which is essential for economic growth and prosperity.
Speaking at a media conference on the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) and key government initiatives, he said: “Education is a key pillar of the knowledge economy and will play a vital role in the future development of the country.”
The Minister shared that Prime Minister Shibaz Sharif recently launched the five-year National Economic Transformation Plan 2024-29, known as “Pakistan Arawan”, with the aim of reviving Pakistan’s economy. He added, “We are working hard to promote the knowledge economy, and traditional and technical education has an important role in this.”
Iqbal emphasized the need for continuity in policies to ensure long-term economic and educational growth. “Without consistent policies, we cannot achieve economic progress,” he said. He also highlighted the importance of digital innovation, saying: “To drive the knowledge economy and achieve economic development, we must embrace the digital revolution and innovation.”
The Minister called for a comprehensive overhaul of Pakistan’s curriculum to make it more relevant to today’s needs. “Our current curriculum does not prepare students for the future. We need to equip them with essential modern skills for the 21st century.”
Outlining plans for comprehensive curriculum reform, he added: “No country can succeed in the long term without at least a 90% literacy rate. We need to invest in education now for a better future.”
Iqbal raised concerns about the state of education in Pakistan, noting that more than 25 million children are out of school and the literacy rate is only 61%. This is a crisis that requires immediate action. These statistics are a major obstacle to our nation’s progress.”
The Minister also stressed the importance of the unemployment program to improve literacy in cooperation with provincial governments. He praised the recent initiatives as steps towards modernizing the education system and preparing students for a rapidly changing world. “These efforts are a leap forward in improving the quality and importance of education,” he said.
Speaking about the future of Balochistan, Iqbal said: “In the next 10 years, Balochistan will be the richest province of Pakistan due to its declining population and improvements in connectivity.”
The minister concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to advancing education and promoting literacy, describing it as the foundation for a prosperous Pakistan.