Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, on Wednesday stressed the urgent need for Pakistan to keep pace with the global digital revolution to achieve sustainable development across all sectors.
"The world is advancing at the speed of electrons. We cannot afford to lag behind, as in the next 22 years, we will evaluate our development in the context of our 100 years of independence," he said at the opening session of the "Empowering a Digital Pakistan" conference.
Drawing on historical examples, Iqbal noted that nations embracing global changes have achieved prosperity, while those ignoring these changes have faced failure. He highlighted that the world is now undergoing a digital revolution following the industrial revolution. "In the industrial era, the big ate the small; in the digital world, the fast eat the slow, regardless of size," he remarked.
Iqbal emphasised that Pakistan stands at a defining moment, where the choices made today will determine the nation's future. "If the choices are wrong, we cannot blame others for our circumstances. Conversely, if the choices are right, success belongs solely to those who made them," he added.
He recalled that the PML-N government had introduced Vision 2010 in 1998 and Vision 2025 in 2013, both disrupted by the change in 2018.
Iqbal stressed that no country has developed without consistent policies over at least 10-15 years. He reiterated that Pakistan needs peace, stability, consistent policies, and continuous reforms to achieve its developmental goals.
"The nation now needs a healing touch. We must come together, set aside smaller identities, and embrace a larger identity as Pakistan," he concluded.
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