Pakistan 2025 Programme will be developed with the assistance of leading universities and research experts in policy formulation. PHOTO: EXPRESS/ FILE
Delivering a lecture at Harvard University, Iqbal said international projects are aimed at making Pakistan a hub of regional integration comprising South Asian economies, China and Central Asia.
He said the Pakistan 2025 Programme will be developed with the assistance of leading universities and research experts in an effort to gain an edge in policy formulation. Under the programme, data will be provided to researchers, businesses and technology entrepreneurs for its application.
Iqbal told the audience that in the past Pakistan’s human capital had been neglected, however, now there is an increased emphasis on harnessing its talented youth population.
“We plan to use biotechnology in development of the economy and leading Pakistani professionals in the US have volunteered to help,” he remarked.
The government has launched a public sector reform programme aimed at improving services to citizens and performance of government departments. State officials and departments will be assessed on the basis of key performance indicators.
“Either people improve their performance or move out of the way of younger professionals,” he said.
He stressed that the government has zero tolerance for corruption and is focused on reviving the economy. The security challenge is being addressed on priority basis, he said.
Blaming dictatorships for ethnic, sectarian and linguistic violence, he said there is no room for militancy and that the government is committed to creating a peaceful society for all Pakistanis regardless of race or ethnic differences.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 13th, 2013.
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