• Ahsan Iqbal urges civil servants to play role in shaping country’s future
• Says Chashma-5 project reflects strong Pakistan-China bond
ISLAMABAD: The federal government will unveil the National Economic Transformation Plan 2024-29 today (Tuesday), Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal announced during a ceremony on Monday.
The five-year plan aims to address key economic challenges through a targeted framework called the “Five Es” — Exports; E-Pakistan; Equity and Empowerment; Environment, Food and Water Security; and Energy and Infrastructure.
Speaking at the passing-out ceremony of the 47th Specialised Training Programme of the Pakistan Administrative Service in Lahore, the minister said, “We examined the key challenges Pakistan has faced in the past 16 months and identified the priorities required to establish a stable foundation. This led to the development of the Five Es Framework to address our core challenges.”
He elaborated that the framework includes expanding and diversifying exports to make export-led growth a cornerstone of economic development, harnessing the power of digital transformation to turn Pakistan into a techno-economy, ensuring environmental, food and water security to achieve sustainability, focusing on energy efficiency and affordability, and building multi-modal transport corridors.
The framework also “promotes equity, ethics and empowerment for values-based growth, focusing on youth and women as drivers of future progress”, he added.
Addressing civil servants, Mr Iqbal emphasised their critical role in addressing Pakistan’s challenges and shaping its future. “Civil service is not just a profession; it is a mission,” he said.
The minister identified peace, political stability, policy continuity and commitment to reforms as key factors for sustainable development. “Governments will come and go, but civil servants are the constant force steering the nation towards progress,” he said, urging officers to maintain integrity and a reputation of excellence.
He encouraged them to reflect on how other nations have outpaced Pakistan in development and called for a unified approach to overcome the country’s challenges. “If we aim to achieve an honourable position by 2047, civil servants must commit to these factors,” he added.
Chashma-5 project
Meanwhile, the planning minister hailed the Chashma Nuclear Power Project Unit-5 (C-5) as a milestone in Pakistan-China cooperation during the project’s first concrete pouring ceremony in Mianwali on Monday.
He highlighted nuclear energy’s pivotal role in addressing Pakistan’s energy challenges. “Currently, our nuclear power plants contribute over 3,530MW to the national grid, offering clean and affordable electricity,” he said. The addition of C-5, with a 1,200MW capacity, will further strengthen Pakistan’s energy mix, reducing reliance on imported fuels.
He emphasised the significance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in fostering regional connectivity and economic growth. “CPEC is more than a collection of projects — it symbolises the unbreakable bond between Pakistan and China,” he said.
Mr Iqbal also advocated for joint ventures between Pakistan and China to design and produce nuclear power plants for global markets, unlocking new economic opportunities. Under the Five Es framework, the National Economic Transformation Plan emphasises turning Pakistan into a “techno-economy”, he said. This includes integrating artificial intelligence, nanotechnology and automation into economic development.
The strategy also prioritises equity and empowerment, focusing on youth and women as drivers of future progress.
Sustainable energy
Highlighting the transition to sustainable energy, Mr Iqbal reaffirmed nuclear energy’s role in the country’s strategy. He lauded the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority for ensuring safety standards and compliance with international protocols.
“Safety is paramount to the success of our nuclear programme,” he said, adding that such projects demonstrate Pakistan’s potential as a reliable partner in large-scale infrastructure and technological collaborations.
Through the Five Es, the government aims to build a resilient foundation for economic growth and secure a sustainable future for Pakistan.
The event was also attended by Director General of the Strategic Plans Division Lt Gen Yusuf Jamal, Ambassador of Pakistan to China Khalil Hashmi, Ambassador of China to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong, Vice President of CNNC Zhang Kai, federal secretaries and delegates from China.
Published in Dawn, December 31st, 2024
