Ahsan urges varsities to drive economic growth

Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal on Monday urged universities to drive Pakistan's economic transformation through technology, innovation and research, stressing that higher education institutions must serve as growth engines of the national economy.

Addressing the NUST Master Convocation 2026 as chief guest at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) main campus, the minister said Pakistan faced challenges in technological advancement, per capita income and exports, requiring structural reforms and greater adoption of modern technologies.