Minister proposes 'economic long march' to achieve goals

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday urged the Pakistani business community in Saudi Arabia to play an active role in further enhancing trade relations with the kingdom.

"Increased economic contacts provide a solid foundation for bilateral relations between nations," he remarked while speaking at a reception hosted by the Pakistani business community in Jeddah.

Ahsan Iqbal outlined key elements of 5Es framework under the Uraan Pakistan initiative, which serves as a roadmap aimed at transforming Pakistan into a $1 trillion economy by 2035 and a $3 trillion economy by 2047. He expressed confidence that the programme would provide a sustainable and long-lasting foundation for the country's development.

The minister stressed the need for an economic "long march" free from political turmoil to achieve national development goals, and added that there was no room for any form of political or economic crisis. Ahsan Iqbal highlighted that increase in exports was central to the five-point agenda of Uraan Pakistan as economic independence depended on Pakistan's ability to generate earnings in dollars.