ISLAMABAD, July 27, 2025 (APP/UrduPoint) – Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, on Sunday reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transformative reforms in education and agriculture as part of the flagship development initiative, ‘Uraan Pakistan’.
In an interview with a private news channel, Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that ‘Uraan Pakistan’ is not just a slogan, but a comprehensive roadmap for national advancement, with education and agriculture at its core.
“Our vision is clear—no sustainable economic progress is possible without a complete overhaul of our education system and modernization of agriculture,” he stated.
Education Reform: A National Priority
Professor Iqbal highlighted that the government is placing the highest priority on revamping the education system to produce a skilled and future-ready workforce. He said the reforms aim to:
- Modernize curriculum to meet global standards and local relevance.
- Expand digital learning infrastructure, especially in rural and underdeveloped areas.
- Upgrade teacher training through a national-level capacity-building program.
- Reform examination systems to encourage critical thinking over rote learning.
- Promote STEM and AI education, with dedicated funding under Uraan Pakistan’s knowledge economy pillar.
He noted that these efforts are being implemented in close coordination with provincial governments following the 18th Amendment. “To ensure meaningful reform, we are empowering local institutions and decentralizing implementation to district-level authorities,” he added.
Agriculture: Tackling Climate Impact and Food Security
Turning to agriculture, the minister acknowledged the growing threat of climate change on crop productivity and national food security.
“Erratic weather patterns, water scarcity, and declining soil health are now urgent challenges. We cannot continue business as usual,” he stressed.
In response, the government has rolled out a multi-pronged strategy to revitalize the sector, including:
- Introduction of climate-smart farming practices.
- Investment in research for drought-resistant and high-yield seed varieties.
- Expansion of irrigation efficiency projects, particularly in Sindh and South Punjab.
- Strengthening agri-value chains to improve farmers’ income and market access.
He added that Pakistan has also signed cooperation agreements with global agricultural innovation centers and multilateral institutions to accelerate technology transfer and investment in rural development.
Integrated Approach and Long-Term Planning
Professor Iqbal stressed that ‘Uraan Pakistan’ is not a short-term policy, but a strategic transformation initiative designed to produce measurable results by 2030.
“We are adopting a whole-of-government approach with inclusive provincial participation, robust monitoring frameworks, and transparency mechanisms,” he said.
The minister concluded by saying that the success of ‘Uraan Pakistan’ hinges on the collective ownership of reforms by all stakeholders, especially youth, educators, farmers, and local administrators.
“If we can mobilize the energy of our people and align it with a clear national vision, Pakistan’s economic takeoff is within reach,” he concluded.
Join Our WhatsApp Channel for Updates