New York, 17 July 2026 (Nosheen): Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, held separate meetings in New York with Syed Shamim Abbas Naqvi, Chief Executive Officer of SafeLiShare, and Professor Sabina Alkire, Director of the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) at the University of Oxford, to discuss cooperation in technology, innovation, and sustainable development. During his meeting with Syed Shamim Abbas Naqvi, the Minister exchanged views on Pakistan’s digital transformation agenda, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and opportunities for enhanced collaboration in emerging technologies. The discussions also focused on promoting innovation ecosystems, technology transfer, and strengthening Pakistan’s digital economy.
Professor Ahsan Iqbal highlighted the Government’s commitment to building a knowledge-based economy under the Uraan Pakistan initiative, emphasizing that innovation, digitalization, and technological advancement are central to Pakistan’s long-term development strategy. He underscored the importance of public-private partnerships and engagement with global technology leaders to accelerate digital transformation and create new opportunities for economic growth. In a separate meeting with Professor Sabina Alkire, Director of the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), the Minister discussed multidimensional poverty, evidence-based policymaking, and avenues for strengthening collaboration on inclusive and sustainable development.
The Minister appreciated OPHI’s pioneering contributions to the global measurement of multidimensional poverty and acknowledged its role in supporting governments with data-driven policy frameworks. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to utilizing evidence-based research and innovative policy tools to improve development planning, reduce poverty, and enhance the quality of life for its citizens. Professor Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that the Government’s development vision under Uraan Pakistan places human development, social inclusion, innovation, and data-driven governance at the center of national planning. He noted that collaboration with leading international institutions and experts would further strengthen Pakistan’s capacity to achieve sustainable and inclusive economic growth.The meetings reflected Pakistan’s continued efforts to expand international partnerships in technology, innovation, research, and development as part of its broader agenda for economic transformation and sustainable progress.