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Business Recorder
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Glacial retreat reaches alarming levels endangering water system: minister
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal warned that over the past six decades, the rate of glacial retreat has reached alarming levels, endangering Pakistan's water system, particularly the Indus River Basin. 'Pakistan is home to over 7,000 glaciers, the largest concentration outside the polar regions, which are melting at an unprecedented pace. Over the past six decades, the rate of glacial retreat has reached alarming levels. Climate change is no longer a theoretical concern but a harsh and dangerous reality that poses a grave threat to the future of humanity. The Indus River supports 90 percent of Pakistan's agricultural output, and the accelerated glacial melt threatens not only agriculture but also water security, energy generation, and food availability,' the minister said while addressing at a high-level event in Islamabad on climate change, titled 'Practical Action for Environmental Protection: Progress on Climate Change Direction in Pakistan' organised by Climate Adaptation and Resilience (CARE) for South Asia on Tuesday. He said that climate change is no longer a theoretical concern but a harsh and dangerous reality that poses a grave threat to the future of humanity. Recalling the catastrophic floods of 2022, he said that Pakistan has already experienced the devastating effects of climate change, which have inflicted irreparable losses on human lives, the economy, agriculture, and vital infrastructure. The minister pointed out that countries such as Pakistan, which have contributed least to global greenhouse gas emissions, are among the most vulnerable to climate change impacts. 'The annual provision of $100 billion for climate affected countries is not charity, it is a matter of climate justice,' he asserted. He urged that the international community, especially the Global North, must now be held accountable. 'The world has long demanded 'do more' from the Global South; the time has come to demand that the Global North 'do more' for climate justice,' he said. The minister further stated that developed nations must honour their commitments by providing the required financial, technical, and institutional support to climate-vulnerable countries so they can respond effectively to the unfolding crisis. He noted that the present government has taken the challenge of climate change seriously and has made it a central pillar of Pakistan's national planning framework under the '5Es' (Export growth, Environmental sustainability, Energy security, Equity and Empowerment, and E-Pakistan) strategy. Concluding his remarks, the minister called upon the international community to play an active and responsible role in ensuring climate justice and securing a sustainable and safer future for all. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
There's urgent need to revitalise agri sector: minister
LAHORE: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Prof Ahsan Iqbal has stressed the urgent need to revitalize Pakistan's agricultural sector, pointing out that the devolution of powers under the 18th Constitutional Amendment has not been implemented in its true spirit, especially with regard to agriculture. Talking to the media during a visit to a cotton research farm located on Defence Road Lahore on Sunday, the minister said that although the 18th Amendment transferred authority and resources to the provinces, agriculture has not received the attention it deserves. 'After the 18th Amendment, agriculture became a provincial subject, and it was the responsibility of the provinces to uplift the sector. Unfortunately, they failed to deliver tangible progress,' he said. He was accompanied by renowned agricultural expert Engineer Javed Saleem Qureshi, who has developed a new variety of cotton seed after 25 years of extensive research and experimentation. Prof Ahsan Iqbal said, 'Due to lack of focus and commitment at the provincial level, we could neither improve per-acre yield nor introduce high-quality seeds for key crops. Our research institutions also failed to play an active role.' The minister stressed the need for concrete planning to boost agricultural productivity, especially in critical crops like cotton, canola, and rice. 'We must now plan for the next ten years with clear goals. Time is slipping by, and unless we act decisively, we will continue to lag behind. Competing with the world requires us to function as a united and forward-thinking nation.' He said that the absence of long-term national planning for the next 10 to 20 years is a serious concern. 'Pakistan must achieve self-sufficiency in agriculture. We cannot afford to rely on imports for essential crops any longer,' he added. During the visit, Ahsan Iqbal lauded the groundbreaking work of Engineer Javed Saleem Qureshi, who has introduced a climate-resilient cotton seed variety capable of thriving in temperatures up to 50°C. The new seed, developed and successfully tested in Lahore while considering the impact of climate change, has the potential to boost cotton yield from the current 15 maunds per acre to an impressive 40–50 maunds per acre. 'This is nothing short of an agricultural revolution,' the minister remarked. 'The government will fully support experts from the private sector who bring such innovations, and we will provide all possible cooperation to ensure their success.' He also pointed out the immense potential in other crops such as canola, noting that increasing domestic production of canola oil could save the country billions of Dollars in foreign exchange currently spent on imports. In response to a question regarding recent heavy rains, the minister said that the federal government has formed a committee comprising representatives from the federation and all four provinces to assess the damages. He added that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is currently collecting data to determine the scale of impact and future response strategies. Ahsan Iqbal said the government is fully committed to supporting agricultural innovation and emphasized that agriculture must become the cornerstone of Pakistan's economic self-reliance in the coming years. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Target to achieve $60bn in exports over next 5 years: Ahsan
ISLAMAABD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal said the government's target is to achieve $60 billion in exports over the next five years. While addressing a meeting of National Assembly Standing Committee on Planning, the minister said, 'If we work with dedication, the dream of a $3 trillion economy by 2047 can become a reality.' The committee met with Syed Abdul Qadir Gillani in the chair in the auditorium of the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Islamabad on Friday. He said that for the first time in the country's history, Rs1 trillion have been spent on PSDP (Public Sector Development Programme) projects. He said that a clear roadmap for 'Uraan Pakistan' (Pakistan's Ascent) to tackle the challenges the country faces. He said that political stability and continuity of policies are essential for the completion of development projects. He said that a long-term integrated policy and a conducive environment are fundamental requirements for development. The minister said that 'everyone must work for the country's economic growth, rising above political affiliations.' He said the Ministry of Planning has identified five solid pillars for sustainable economic growth. The minister gave the committee an overview of Uraan Pakistan — the National Transformation Plan 2025–2030. He noted that earlier national five-year plans succeeded due to political continuity, unlike the present scenario, where frequent democratic disruptions have hindered progress. He emphasised that even the best ideas require a stable and enabling environment to flourish. The minister highlighted Pakistan's economic turnaround since 2022, stating that inflation had been brought down from double to single digits. He elaborated on the government's strategic focus on the 'Five Es': Exports, E-Commerce, Energy, Environment, and Ethics — underlining them as critical pillars of the transformation agenda. He said that under the second pillar of the 'Five Es,' projects involving modern technology are being pursued. He said that under the 'Five Es,' the completion of water projects, in light of climate challenges, is a government priority. He said that the completion of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam is among the government's top priorities. He said that the government's aim is to ensure the supply of affordable and reliable energy. Under the fifth pillar of the 'Five Es,' the government is focusing particularly on human resource development, said the federal minister. 'After the 18th Constitutional Amendment, most departments have been devolved to the provinces, but centralisation of powers within the provinces has undermined its spirit. There should be a national dialogue on empowering local governments or creating new provinces to make Pakistan's administrative structure more effective,' said the federal minister. He said that controlling population growth is a national emergency and for this purpose, a National Task Force is being established. He said that just as we defeated India in 'Operation Bunyanum Marsoos,' we will achieve supremacy in the economic field with the same determination. The minister said that the government has achieved significant success in controlling inflation. He said that climate change has created new challenges for the national economy. The committee commenced with a follow-up discussion on the tragic Multan LPG tanker blast of January 2025. The committee raised serious concerns over the inquiry process and the distribution of compensation packages, particularly questioning why the elected member of the National Assembly was not consulted throughout the process. The committee recommended a reinvestigation into the incident. Chairperson Syed Abdul Qadir Gillani expressed his resolve to pursue the matter across all relevant forums, vowing to ensure accountability and prevent future tragedies. The committee called for a comprehensive briefing on the case. The meeting was attended by Committee Members Naz Baloch, Muhammad Moazzam Ali Khan, Farhan Chishti, Akhtar Bibi, Dawar Khan Kundi, and Yousaf Khan. Senior officials from the Ministry of Planning, Finance Division, OGRA, and other relevant departments were also present. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
NA body slams Ogra over unregistered LPG tankers in KP and theft in Sindh
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, while drawing attention to the unchecked and hazardous sale of LPG in plastic bags in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and rampant theft in Sindh, sharply criticised the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) for regulatory lapses, particularly regarding the vast number of unregistered LPG tankers operating across the country. Of the estimated 2,000 bowsers in circulation, only 800 are reportedly registered with the Department of Explosives and just 247 are licensed by OGRA—revealing a significant oversight gap. This was revealed before the committee which met with Syed Abdul Qadir Gillani in the chair here on Tuesday. The session opened with a critical discussion on the Multan LPG tanker explosion of 27th January 2025. Expressing serious concern, Chairman Gillani remarked, 'Such incidents are becoming rampant, and providing meagre aid to victims is not a solution. This must stop—we must identify and hold those responsible.' Committee members echoed these sentiments, drawing attention to the unchecked and hazardous sale of LPG in plastic bags in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and rampant theft in Sindh. Questions were raised about the lack of surveillance, low inspection frequency, weak tracking mechanisms, and poor coordination between OGRA and the Explosives Department. The OGRA officials responded that a regional office had been opened in Multan and awareness campaigns were underway. They acknowledged the scale of unregulated operations and admitted that current laws are insufficient. The OGRA requested parliamentary support for legislative amendments to strengthen penalties and enforcement. The OGRA chairman stated that actions are being taken against illegal LPG tankers, and penalties are being made stricter. He revealed, 'We are bringing amendments to criminal laws. Previously, the penalty was six months imprisonment and a fine of Rs3,000. Now, through amendments, a proposal is to impose 10 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs20 million.' MNA Dawar Kundi criticised the previous meagre fine, asking, 'Such a small fine, why were the licenses of these tankers not canceled?' MNA Saleemur Rehman expressed outrage, stating, 'OGRA has committed injustice; CNG is being openly sold next to the Swat Motorway.' Major (retired) Tahir Iqbal questioned, 'Does OGRA have a system for checking tankers? Tracking should also be done.' He further suggested that 'increasing penalties will do nothing; suspending licenses is the right action.' The committee referred the matter of illegal and substandard LPG tankers to the Standing Committee on Petroleum and directed that answers to committee members' questions be provided in the next meeting. While contractors involved in the Multan incident are reportedly under review, the Committee expressed dissatisfaction with the accountability process and the compensation announced—deeming Rs600,000 grossly inadequate for lives lost. Members called for immediate suspension of licenses for those under investigation and urged the introduction of stringent safety and inspection protocols. The committee resolved to revisit the matter in the next session with a detailed presentation on the registration, licensing, and enforcement framework. A major agenda item was the presentation of the Sub-Committee's report by its Convener, Syed Samiul Hassan Gillani, concerning the execution of development projects—especially those formerly overseen by the Public Works Department (PWD) and subsequently transferred to provinces. Gillani appreciated the cooperation of federal ministries, including Finance, Planning, and Housing, shared the achievements of the sub-committee's performance while also highlighting persistent issues in coordination and project execution. Concerns were raised about the operational capacity of Pakistan Infrastructure Development Company Limited (PIDCL) and several issues which led to unnecessary delays. The committee chairman directed that the matter of development projects be discussed in the subcommittee. To address these challenges, the committee reconstituted its sub-committee, again placing Syed Samiul Hassan Gillani as convener. The sub-committee will review the status of ongoing PWD-linked projects and submit its findings within 30 days. It was unanimously noted that merely transferring personnel from PWD to PIDCL without addressing the underlying issues of inefficiency and corruption would be ineffective. While some members supported reforming and reviving PWD with stronger oversight, others advocated for establishing a new, competent institution for federal-provincial project coordination. The committee stressed that executing agencies must have adequate capacity and that elected representatives should have the discretion to select implementing partners for their constituencies. Additionally, the committee deliberated on the province-wise allocation of new Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) projects for fiscal year 2025-26. The Ministry of Planning briefed the committee on PSDP projects while saying that 1,077 projects were placed in PSDP last fiscal year while 344 projects were completed last fiscal year. A total of 172 development projects were placed in PSDP in Punjab last fiscal year, and Rs116 billion were allocated for Punjab's development projects. Further, Rs53 billion were allocated for 102 projects in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa last year. Sindh had 117 projects last year and Rs171 billion were allocated last year. Balochistan had 186 projects last year and Rs93 billion were allocated. The committee sought details of projects for Narowal in the next meeting. The Ministry of Planning was directed to present a detailed breakdown—district-wise and division-wise—in the next meeting. The members also voiced concern over recurring infrastructure damage caused by seasonal floods. The committee urged the formulation of a comprehensive national flood prevention and mitigation policy, emphasising a shift from reactive to preventive planning. It was agreed that the matter would be explored further with relevant federal and provincial stakeholders. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
12-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Stakeholders told to promote Gwadar trade routes
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal directed stakeholders to promote the Gwadar Port's cost-effective trade routes and available incentives for international businesses and early commencement of transshipment operation between Gwadar and the Persian Gulf. The minister chaired a high-level meeting of the Cabinet Committee on the Operationalisation of Gwadar Port on Friday. The meeting, coordinated by Member Infrastructure, Planning Commission Dr Waqas Anwar was attended by senior officials from Gwadar Port Authority, the ministries of Maritime Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Defence, Defence Production, Interior, Finance, Commerce, Communications, Railways, and Industries and Production. The meeting focused on finalising a comprehensive and well-coordinated plan to accelerate the operationalisation of Gwadar Port. Key agenda items included organising an international conference in Islamabad to raise global awareness about Gwadar Port, devising a robust marketing strategy, and enhancing diplomatic outreach to attract investment and trade interest from Central Asian Republics and other relevant countries. The planning minister was briefed that the Ministry of Maritime Affairs is actively engaging private shipping liners to commence transshipment operations between Gwadar and the Persian Gulf. Initial cargo categories will include minerals, dates, seafood, and cement, targeting sectors such as mining, fisheries, and processing industries. Minister Ahsan Iqbal emphasised the need to showcase Gwadar Port in international roadshows as a strategic trade hub linking the Gulf and Central Asia. 'Well-designed promotional materials must be disseminated through Pakistan's embassies and diplomatic missions worldwide to ensure global visibility for Gwadar Port,' he said. The federal minister underscored Gwadar's geostrategic value, citing its position as the shortest trade route to the Gulf and Central Asia, including countries such as Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan. He highlighted the port's potential as a regional transshipment hub. The planning minister instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to initiate a four-nation consortium to undertake a pre-feasibility study aimed at linking South Asia with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) from Gwadar to Oman through undersea tunnel. Proposals are also under consideration to establish ferry connections with Gulf Countries leveraging China's strong trade presence in the region. Minister Iqbal directed the Director General of Gwadar Port Authority to ensure quality accommodation and recreational facilities for international shipping crew members, encouraging repeat visits to the port. The DG confirmed that high-standard lodging, including a 5-star hotel (Pearl Continental), is available for international shipping crew members. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
