LAHORE, Pakistan: Federal Minister for Planning Development and Reforms, Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday said the government was committed to make Pakistan an ‘Asian Tiger’ and one of the 10 major economies of the world.
Addressing the inaugural ceremony of Cluster Centers in connection with the Vision 2025 at Punjab University, he said that Pakistan was making progress with every passing day, adding the biggest power of the country was the youth.
The minister said that youth especially students were playing an important role in the progress of the country.
He said that Pakistan had achieved development targets in three years under the PML-N government which the country could not achieve in the last 15 years.
Ahsan Iqbal said new methods of education would have to be preferred to the outmoded educational techniques, adding that only those countries achieved success whose individuals were educated and equipped with latest techniques.
He said the government was equipping the new generation with education and skills so that the country could achieve the cherished goals of a developed nation.
The minister urged the need of optimism and positive thinking in order to achieve the greatest milestone of public welfare.
He said Pakistan would not have enough financial resources to run the country when it came into being in 1947 while the political pundits forecast that Pakistan would not survive as a country. He said that Pakistan was created to last and it would exist till eternity.
“We must not abandon hope, adding that Pakistan did not have sufficient resources at the time of its being but today Pakistan is the 7th atomic power of the world,” he said.
The minister said Pakistan had only two textile mills in 1947 while India had many steel mills at the time, adding that Pakistan was manufacturing JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft by the grace of Almighty.
He said the Muslim Ummah had produced best scientists over the years, adding that teacher would have to change their teaching methodologies in order to adapt to the demands of modern times.
Ahsan Iqbal said country’s economy would further strengthen with China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). He said the world considered Pakistan a safe haven for terrorists prior to April 25, 2015 but today Pakistan was the fortress of peace.
