Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Prof. Ahsan Iqbal on Saturday said Pakistan had entered a new phase of opportunity after achieving three major milestones including economic recovery, national resilience and diplomatic renewal.
Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos strengthened Pakistan’s stability, investment outlook: Ahsan
HOUSTON, July 11 (APP): Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Prof. Ahsan Iqbal on Saturday said Pakistan had entered a new phase of opportunity after achieving three major milestones including economic recovery, national resilience and diplomatic renewal.
Addressing students, faculty members, researchers and members of the Pakistani community at Rice University, the minister said the successful execution of Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos demonstrated Pakistan’s strategic clarity, national unity and institutional coordination, strengthening confidence in the country’s stability as a prerequisite for investment and sustainable economic growth.
He said the operation exposed India’s aggression before the international community while reflecting Pakistan’s responsible and measured approach towards regional peace and security.
Highlighting Pakistan’s diplomatic achievements, Ahsan Iqbal said the country had re-emerged as a credible and responsible global actor by prioritising dialogue over confrontation and cooperation over conflict.
Through balanced engagement with major powers and constructive regional diplomacy, Pakistan had strengthened its international standing and expanded opportunities for economic cooperation, he added.
The minister said the recent achievements had created a rare strategic opportunity for Pakistan, but stressed that lasting progress would depend on sustained reforms and long-term national transformation.
Referring to the development experiences of Singapore, South Korea, China, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Gulf states, he said political stability, policy continuity, investment in human capital, innovation, strong institutions, meritocracy and productivity remained the key drivers of sustainable economic progress.
Describing URAAN Pakistan as a national transformation agenda rather than merely an economic programme, he said it aimed to shift Pakistan from a consumption-driven economy to a productivity-led and innovation-based economy, promote high-value exports, enhance investment competitiveness and institutionalise long-term strategic planning.
Reaffirming the government’s vision of transforming Pakistan into a US$1 trillion economy by 2035, he said exports, technology, innovation, entrepreneurship and a highly skilled workforce would drive future economic growth.
He urged overseas Pakistanis, academia and young professionals to become active partners in the country’s journey towards sustainable and inclusive development.
Later, the minister joined members of the Pakistani-American community at the Jinnah Library in Houston to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
He said the government had declared 2026 as the “Year of Quaid-e-Azam” to mark the historic milestone, adding that the occasion offered an opportunity to honour the vision and leadership of the founding fathers while passing their values to future generations.
Ahsan Iqbal said the principles of integrity, unity, discipline, self-reliance, constitutionalism and nation-building continued to guide Pakistan’s development journey.
He appreciated the Pakistani-American community for preserving Pakistan’s history, heritage and national identity through the Jinnah Library.
The minister said Allama Iqbal’s philosophy of Khudi continued to inspire Pakistanis to realise their potential, while Quaid-e-Azam translated that vision into reality through his unwavering commitment to faith, unity, discipline, constitutionalism and the rule of law.
He said the government was translating the vision of the founding fathers into practical action through URAAN Pakistan by promoting quality education, innovation, advanced technologies, space sciences and a knowledge-based economy to empower the country’s youth.
He said the greatest tribute to Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal would be to build the progressive, prosperous and forward-looking Pakistan they had envisioned.
On the occasion, the Quaid-e-Azam Academy conferred its highest honour, the Jinnah Cap, on Ahsan Iqbal in recognition of his leadership and services to the nation.
During his engagements in Houston, the minister also met Chairman of the Ibn Sina Foundation, Nasruddin Rupani, to discuss collaboration in maternal health, early childhood development, inclusive healthcare and efforts to address child stunting.
He underscored the importance of strengthening partnerships to improve human development indicators and ensure equitable access to quality healthcare services.
