Socioeconomic transformation: Ahsan seeks role of overseas Pakistanis

ORLANDO, (USA): During his visit to the United States, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal participated in the 49th Annual Convention of the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (APPNA) in Orlando and held a series of engagements with the Pakistani-American business community, urging overseas Pakistanis to become active partners in Pakistan’s journey towards sustainable development and economic transformation.

Addressing the APPNA 49th Annual Convention, the Minister highlighted the government’s vision of placing human capital development at the centre of national planning through URAAN Pakistan.

He emphasised that Pakistan’s future depends on investing in education, healthcare, population management, innovation and technology while strengthening partnerships with overseas Pakistani professionals.

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Inviting overseas Pakistani physicians to contribute their expertise, the Minister proposed an innovative Telemedicine Backup model under which a panel of ten US-based medical specialists for each of Pakistan’s sixty districts would be established.

The panel would provide backend clinical support to junior doctors serving in remote and underserved areas, enabling them to consult directly with overseas specialists and deliver quality healthcare through modern digital technologies. He said this initiative would strengthen knowledge transfer, improve healthcare delivery and expand access to specialist medical care across Pakistan.

Highlighting the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence, the Minister called upon overseas Pakistani doctors to help Pakistan develop AI-driven healthcare solutions, digital health platforms and technology-based medical innovations that can modernize the country’s healthcare system.

The Minister also drew attention to Pakistan’s major human development challenges, including Hepatitis C, diabetes, tuberculosis, polio, rapid population growth and child stunting, stressing that these issues require coordinated national efforts supported by global expertise and innovation.

He informed participants that Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has approved the establishment of the National Population Council, which will be chaired by the Prime Minister with all Chief Ministers as its members to ensure a coordinated national response to population management.

He further shared that Hepatitis C elimination programmes are currently under way in Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, while a nationwide diabetes awareness campaign will soon be launched to promote preventive healthcare.

During an interactive question-and-answer session, Ahsan Iqbal underscored the importance of responsible democratic discourse, stating that while peaceful political expression is a constitutional right, political differences should never undermine state institutions or Pakistan’s international image. He stressed that politics must remain separate from the state, adding that no democratic country allows its sovereign institutions to be weakened by partisan agendas. He urged Pakistanis to express differences responsibly while safeguarding national sovereignty and the country’s global reputation.

The Minister observed that Pakistan has been unable to fully realize its development potential due to repeated disruptions in policy continuity. He noted that during the previous PML-N government, major achievements included overcoming the energy crisis, restoring peace and stability and successfully launching the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), laying the foundation for long-term economic growth. He further stated that after assuming office in 2022, the coalition government made difficult but necessary decisions in the national interest to steer the country away from default, stabilise the economy and reduce inflation from around 38 percent to nearly 5–6 percent, thereby creating a stronger foundation for sustainable economic growth.

Later, during separate meetings with members of the Pakistani American business community in Orlando, the Minister invited overseas entrepreneurs, professionals and investors to play a leading role in Pakistan’s economic revival by promoting exports, technology partnerships and productive investment.

Highlighting the Government’s economic vision under URAAN Pakistan, he said Pakistan is pursuing an export-led, innovation-driven and knowledge-based growth model aimed at enhancing competitiveness, attracting investment, creating employment opportunities and accelerating sustainable economic growth. He called upon the overseas Pakistani business community to leverage its global networks to expand market access for Pakistani products, facilitate investment, promote technology transfer and strengthen Pakistan’s export sector.

Referring to Ma’arka-e-Haq, the Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan demonstrated exceptional national unity, professional excellence and technological capability in safeguarding its sovereignty.

He said the success of Ma’arka-e-Haq enhanced Pakistan’s global standing and reflected the professionalism and preparedness of the country’s Armed Forces. He added that while Pakistan had successfully strengthened its strategic and diplomatic position, the country’s next defining challenge is Ma’arka-e-Maeeshat winning the battle for economic strength through higher exports, industrial competitiveness, technological advancement and increased investment.

Concluding his engagements, Ahsan Iqbal reaffirmed that the Government is committed to strengthening the rule of law, ensuring policy continuity, improving the investment climate and fostering long-term partnerships with overseas Pakistanis. He said the Pakistani diaspora remains one of the nation’s greatest strategic assets and invited overseas professionals to become active partners in realizing the vision of URAAN Pakistan and building a prosperous, resilient and globally competitive Pakistan.