ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday said the government wanted to convert Planning Commission into an integrated think tank for all the sectors to provide vision for future development strategy.
“All the sectors, including transport, infrastructure, energy, social entrepreneurship and development communication, need to adopt an integrated approach to provide a platform for better policy making and implement development vision of the government,” he said while briefing National Assembly Committee on Planning, Development and Reforms here at Pakistan Institute of Development Economic (PIDE).
Ahsan Iqbal said that Pakistan was one of the most urbanized countries and there was need to evolve proper urban policies to make the cities as engine of growth.
“We need a Policy Growth Center to initiate sound policies for development of rural economy and provide employment opportunities in rural areas to decrease the population shift in cities from these areas.”
The minister said that energy crisis badly damaged the rural and urban centers and the government was more focused to provide energy in rural areas for the development of agriculture sector.
“Proper planning and integrated approach in transport, infrastructure, energy sector and social entrepreneurship is a way forward for economic development of the country,” he added.
He said that for development communication, there was a need to engage national media to highlight the issue of mal-nutrition and food security in the country.
“We need proactive approach to resolve the issue of mal-nutrition in children and make self-sufficiency in food.”
He said the government had allocated funds for FATA University in the upcoming Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2016-17 to provide higher education opportunities to the youth of region.
He said the government wanted to build university campus in all districts of the country in next three years to bring about revolution in the education sector.
