ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal has called for political stability and long-term policy continuity to ensure Pakistan’s development.

Speaking at the second International Conference organized by the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Central Punjab, Iqbal emphasized the destructive impact of abusive rhetoric and political polarization, urging the nation to focus on unity and hard work. The senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) highlighted the pivotal role civil engineers had played in the country’s nuclear programme and overall development.

He pointed out that civil engineers had significantly contributed to building infrastructure essential for Pakistan’s strategic and economic growth. During his speech, Iqbal discussed the challenges faced by the country’s development sector. He noted that Pakistan’s development budget, which was Rs1,000 billion in 2018, had been reduced to Rs750 billion by 2022 due to resource constraints. Despite this reduction, he highlighted a positive sign in the economy-Pakistan’s stock market, which had plummeted to 30,000 points, had now recovered to over 100,000 points, indicating resilience in the face of adversity.

Iqbal underlined that national progress can only be achieved when the country prioritizes policy continuity and stays away from divisive rhetoric that hinders progress. He warned that the ongoing political instability and chaos in the country were detrimental to the economic growth and unity of the nation. He urged the public to reject the politics of chaos and instead, focus on working together to build a stronger, more prosperous Pakistan.

Iqbal also emphasized the importance of adopting long-term policies that transcend political differences and ensure a stable future for the country. The event was attended by prominent figures from academia, engineering, and government sectors, all of whom voiced their commitment to fostering a collaborative environment for the betterment of Pakistan’s infrastructure and development.