Latest news with #DevelopmentandSpecialInitiatives
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Contributions of minority communities lauded
ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives organised a Bethak titled, "Mark-e-Haq: Honoring the Role of Religious Minorities in Pakistan", aimed at promoting interfaith harmony, peaceful co-existence, and mutual respect among all citizens. Representatives from Christian, Hindu, Sikh, and other religious minority communities actively participated in the event and shared their perspectives on their role in Pakistan's national development, particularly in the context of the URAAN Pakistan. Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, in his keynote address, paid tribute to the invaluable contributions of minority communities in Pakistan's history and progress. He emphasized that minorities played an unforgettable role in the Pakistan Movement, and their love, loyalty, and services continue to be a vital part of the nation's growth. 'Pakistan is a result of the shared sacrifices of all communities. We didn't just build the country together, we have also strengthened it together,' said the Minister. He reiterated that the true strength of any nation lies not in its military arsenal or economic reserves but in the unity of its people. Ahsan Iqbal reaffirmed the government's commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity for all citizens regardless of religion, race, or ethnicity. 'All Pakistanis are equal; development is everyone's right. We must rise above differences to build a prosperous Pakistan,' he stated. Referring to the government's flagship vision URAAN Pakistan, the Minister noted that its 5Es Framework—Exports, E-Pakistan, Environment, Energy, and Equity—is deeply rooted in the principle of inclusive growth. He stressed that no district or community should be left behind and called for holding such Bethaks across the country to ensure every voice is heard in the development narrative. Touching upon national security, Ahsan Iqbal highlighted Pakistan's resilience against external aggression and terrorism. 'From defeating terrorism to overcoming the energy crisis, Pakistan has proved it is not weak. Our armed forces have given a befitting response to aggression, and the nation has always stood united against every threat,' he added. In conclusion, the Minister underlined the importance of political stability, continuity in policy, and mutual cooperation as key to building a bright future for Pakistan. 'Under the green crescent flag, we are all one. Together, we can defeat hatred with love, and injustice with equality. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Pakistan seeks to expand high-tech ties with China in space, nuclear fields
Pakistan wants to deepen technological cooperation with China in the fields of space exploration and nuclear technology, a senior Pakistani minister has said. Minister Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan plans satellite launches and aims to send astronauts to China's space station next year.(Ahsan Iqbal/ LinkedIn ) Pakistan is keen to strengthen scientific partnerships with China, including in artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing, Pakistan's Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, who was on a visit to China, told the media. "I had an opportunity to meet with the new chairman of China's nuclear authority and the space agency,' Iqbal said in a media briefing early this week, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported on Thursday. 'We also discussed how we can further strengthen our cooperation in peaceful nuclear use of technology by extending nuclear power into agriculture,' he said. Also Read: China backs Pakistan's counter terrorism efforts, says foreign minister Wang Yi Pakistan's Karachi Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3, which uses the Chinese-made Hualong One reactor, completed its final tests before going into operation, according to the report. Iqbal said China-Pakistan space cooperation included satellite launches and plans to send Pakistan's astronauts to China's space station next year. 'Later with Chinese help, we will send and land a rover on the moon that will be yet another milestone,' he said. 'Pakistan also aims to have its lunar landing or landing on the moon by 2035, and we have also sought cooperation in this field,' he said. During his visit to China, Iqbal said he had witnessed the July 31 launch of the Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite-1 at the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in the southwestern province of Sichuan.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Pakistan seeks to expand high tech cooperation with China to space, nuclear fields: Minister
Beijing: Pakistan wants to deepen technological cooperation with China in the fields of space exploration and nuclear technology, a senior Pakistani minister has said. Pakistan is keen to strengthen scientific partnerships with China, including in artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing, Pakistan's Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal, who was on a visit to China, told the media. "I had an opportunity to meet with the new chairman of China's nuclear authority and the space agency,' Iqbal said in a media briefing early this week, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported on Thursday. 'We also discussed how we can further strengthen our cooperation in peaceful nuclear use of technology by extending nuclear power into agriculture,' he said. Pakistan's Karachi Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3, which uses the Chinese-made Hualong One reactor, completed its final tests before going into operation, according to the report. Iqbal said China-Pakistan space cooperation included satellite launches and plans to send Pakistan's astronauts to China's space station next year. 'Later with Chinese help, we will send and land a rover on the moon that will be yet another milestone,' he said. 'Pakistan also aims to have its lunar landing or landing on the moon by 2035, and we have also sought cooperation in this field,' he said. During his visit to China, Iqbal said he had witnessed the July 31 launch of the Pakistan Remote Sensing Satellite-1 at the Xichang Satellite Launch Centre in the southwestern province of Sichuan.
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Representation, good governance: Citizens' rights must be at the heart of all reforms: minister
ISLAMAABD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal emphasised that citizens' right to representation and good governance must be at the heart of all reforms. The minister, Wednesday, chaired a high-level meeting to review the progress of the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) Governance Reforms Committee, which was constituted by the prime minister to address pressing governance challenges in the federal capital. The meeting was attended by Senator Barrister Zafarullah Khan, MNA Raja Khurram Nawaz, MNA Anjum Aqeel, Member Governance Dr Adnan Rafiqe, and senior officials from the Capital Development Authority (CDA), Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad (MCI), and the Ministry of Planning. In the meeting, Senator Barrister Zafarullah Khan briefed participants on the recommendations of the subcommittee and outlined the administrative and legislative hurdles affecting the effective functioning of Islamabad's governance system. The discussion focused on the structural issues that have emerged due to the lack of a coherent governance model and absence of legislative authority, resulting in inefficiencies in public service delivery. During the meeting, Federal Minister Iqbal emphasised that citizens' right to representation and good governance must be at the heart of all reforms. He said that people must have a voice in decisions that impact their daily lives and that governance should be rooted in democratic values, participation, and transparency. He added that Islamabad's residents deserve a modern and responsive system that ensures efficient delivery of services and meets their expectations. The minister reiterated that the government is committed to providing the citizens of Islamabad with a governance model that could serve as a role model for other parts of the country. Iqbal said that the lack of a clear governance structure and legislation has caused confusion and inefficiency. He added that Islamabad's small size makes it ideal for piloting governance reforms that can later be applied in other cities. Minister for Planning Iqbal concluded by reaffirming that the government remains committed in its mission to build a citizen-centric governance system that is inclusive, efficient, and accountable. The ongoing reforms aim to transform Islamabad into a model city with improved service delivery and better quality of life for all residents. The committee also emphasised the urgent need to democratise the 1980 Presidential Order No 18, a legacy of the martial law era under which Islamabad continues to operate. It was noted that updating this framework is essential to ensure effective public representation and align governance with democratic principles. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Agri census launched: Number of farm households increases to 11.7m
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal said that the number of farm households has increased from 8.3 million to 11.7 million, while the total livestock population now stands at 251 million. While launching the results of the 7th Agricultural Census 2024 on Wednesday, he said that Pakistan's first-ever integrated digital agricultural census, marking a significant milestone in the country's data-driven transformation of the agriculture sector. The minister termed the occasion a 'turning point' in Pakistan's agricultural history, stating: 'Today's launch is not the end, but the beginning of a practical revolution rooted in data.' He said that the census reveals a notable expansion in Pakistan's cultivated land, which has grown from 42.6 million acres in 2010 to 52.8 million acres in 2024. However, the average farm size has declined from 6.6 acres to 5.1 acres, reflecting changing land ownership patterns and population pressures, he said. Punjab govt launches 7th Agri Census 2024 Highlighting the government's digital vision, Iqbal noted, 'Under the Prime Minister's URAAN Pakistan initiative, we seek to digitally empower every sector of the economy. This census is a testament to that commitment.' The digital enumeration covered every province and region, including remote and high-altitude areas, ensuring full national representation. Thousands of trained personnel, equipped with digital tools, carried out the exercise, replacing outdated paper-based methods. He emphasised that the newly-gathered data will support targeted, transparent, and effective policymaking in the agriculture sector, which has long suffered from fragmented and outdated statistics. He said, 'The census provides detailed insights into land use, irrigation systems, crop diversity, livestock, mechanisation and farm demographics. These findings are expected to inform a wide range of public and private sector initiatives, including, smart subsidy and credit schemes tailored to smallholders and underserved regions; climate-resilient agriculture and better disaster preparedness; mechanisation and irrigation efficiency programmes; agribusiness investments, including food processing and value chain development.' Underscoring the human dimension of agriculture, the minister said, 'Agriculture is not just about land and crops; it is about people. Through knowledge and empowerment, we will make our farmers the masters of their own destiny.' He highlighted the census's role in identifying women farmers and young agripreneurs, enabling inclusive policymaking and opening new pathways for digital advisory services and modern training. He reiterated that evidence-based governance is vital to achieving Pakistan's economic goals. 'This data will lay the foundation for a food-secure, export-oriented, trillion-dollar economy by 2035.' The minister acknowledged the efforts of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS), provincial and district governments, universities, experts, and development partners such as the FAO for their collaboration in this historic exercise. In closing, he urged all stakeholders to act on the findings with urgency and unity of purpose: 'Let us move forward with a shared commitment—to make every farm more productive, every farmer more prosperous, and Pakistan's agriculture globally competitive.' He said that the 7th Agricultural Census 2024, through its digital methodology and inclusive scope, sets a new benchmark for evidence-based policymaking and reaffirms the government's commitment to transforming Pakistan's agricultural landscape through innovation, data, and empowerment. Moreover, as part of the digital advancements under the 7th Agricultural Census, a dedicated Data Portal for Large Holdings has also been launched. This portal hosts detailed data collected from large-scale agricultural holders during the census and now provides them with the opportunity to regularly update their information in real-time. Iqbal appreciated this innovative step and stated that it is a commendable initiative which will be shared with all provinces to support coordinated and data-driven agricultural planning. He said that it is a major step towards dynamic data governance, enabling timely interventions, improved planning for high-value agriculture, and direct engagement with major stakeholders in the sector. According to the latest census, the total livestock population in the country has reached 251.3 million in 2024. The number of cattle has reached 55.8 million, buffalos 47.7 million, sheep 44.5 million, goats 95 million, camels 1.5 million, and donkeys 4.8 million. In Punjab, cultivation of wheat area is 41.5 per cent, Sindh 40 per cent, KPK 50 per cent and in Balochistan 48.3 per cent. Sugarcane cultivation area in Punjab is 13.4 per cent, Sindh 2.7 per cent, KPK three per cent and Balochistan 3.2 per cent. Cotton growing area in Punjab now merely 3.7 per cent, Sindh 14 per cent and Balochistan 0.2 per cent. The cultivation area of rice in Punjab is 1.9 per cent, Sindh 21.5 per cent, KPK 4.3 per cent and Balochistan 8.2 per cent. The cultivation area of maize in Punjab is 10.2 per cent, Sindh 13.2 per cent, KPK 18.4 per cent and Balochistan 16.7 per cent. He said that the census reveals a notable expansion in Pakistan's cultivated land, which has grown from 42.6 million acres in 2010 to 52.8 million acres in 2024. However, the average farm size has declined from 6.6 acres to 5.1 acres, reflecting changing land ownership patterns and population pressures, he said. Average farm size of Punjab increased from 5.6 acres to 6.15 acres. In Sindh farm size reduced from 8.8 acres to 5.03 acres. In KPK it was reduced from 3.6 acres to 2.12 acre. Whereas in Balochistan it reduced from 22.7 acres to 16.07 acres. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
