By Ashiq Sardar
Minister for Planning Development Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the need for investing in higher education to create upward social mobility while reiterating that the government is committed to uplifting Balochistan.
Higher Education and Government’s Commitment
The Minister made these remarks while addressing 36th AGM of the Pakistan Society of Development Economists (PSDE) conference held in Quetta on Thursday.
The conference was organized by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) in collaboration with BUITEMS.
The theme of the Conference was “Charter of Economy: Investment, Productivity, and Employability.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister while emphasizing the importance of inclusive development said that the incumbent government has started a special project to uplift 20 poorest districts of Pakistan and out of which 11 are from Balochistan.
Last month, the Ministry had launched a special development initiative worth Rs40 billion for 20 backward and poor districts of the country.
The Minister is expected to visit the 20 poorest districts next month. Kohlu, Jhal Magsi, Barkhan, Sherani, Killa Abdullah, Zhob, Musakhel, Dera Bugti, Jaffarabad, Ziarat and Killa Saifullah of Balochistan also among in the districts, where special development initiative worth Rs40 billion will be started.
E-Pakistan and the current Government
The Minister also highlighted a short-term economic agenda of the incumbent government in the form of 5Es which include enterprise, exports, equity in society through strengthened health and education. The identification of 20 poorest districts for accelerated growth program, E-Pakistan and empowerment of youth, energy efficiency and conservation, and environment and food security were among the 5Es.
The Minister highlighted the expansion of university campuses in remote areas of Balochistan by the Planning Commission from in 2013-18. Prof Iqbal also emphasized the need for political stability and policy continuity for the success of economic initiatives such as CPEC.
He also stressed the need for dialogue and engagement to address social and political differences and counter growing intolerance. The Minister congratulated PIDE and BUITEMS for conducting a successful conference.
