Ahsan Iqbal to receive APO award

Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal will formally receive the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Meritorious and Distinguished Award-2024 during its Governing Body’s 66th session to be held in Kuala Lumpur next month. The minister will get this accolade for “his inspiring, exemplary achievements and contributions leading to centrality of productivity”.

“The APO has revealed the winners of the APO, Regional Meritorious and Distinguished Awards, 2024 and Planning Minister Professor Ahsan Iqbal is one of the recipients in Asia Pacific who is the winner among the others,” said a press release issued by the planning ministry on Sunday.

These prestigious awards honour individuals who have made significant contributions to productivity improvement across the Asia Pacific. This was the fourth time that Iqbal has assumed the charge of the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives.

First time he became the planning minister in 1997 and continued this responsibility till 1999 then served from 2013-2017 and again from 2022-2023. He also served as a deputy chairman of the Planning Commission of Pakistan.

Previously, Ahsan Iqbal was also appointed as the United Nations Development Programme’s Champion Minister for the Asia Pacific region, for his tireless efforts in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).