Development & Special Initiatives

First Time in History, Rs. 1,046 Billion Spent on Development Projects in a Single Fiscal Year 2024-2025

10Jul

By The Pakistan TimesNo Comments

First Time in History, Rs. 1,046 Billion Spent on Development Projects in a Single Fiscal Year 2024-2025

Islamabad, July 10, 2025(Memoona): Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, while addressing the media at the launch of the Monthly Development Update for July 2025, said that the fiscal year 2024–25 concluded with encouraging macroeconomic indicators.The Minister noted first time ever Rs. 1,046 billion (96%) of the PSDP for FY2024–25 had been utilized, reflecting strong implementation. This utilization is driving inclusive growth through targeted investments in exports, innovation, and human development. The PSDP, which was limited to Rs. 754 billion last year, is now back on the path of growth, said Ahsan IqbalHe noted that GDP growth is on an upward trajectory, inflation has eased, and both fiscal and external sector stability have been ...

Inflation Drops to 4.5% in FY 2024-25 – Lowest in Nine Years

4Jul

By The Pakistan TimesNo Comments

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Inflation Drops to 4.5% in FY 2024-25 – Lowest in Nine Years

Islamabad, July 4, 2025(Memoona): Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, chaired a meeting of the National Price Monitoring Committee (NPMC) in Islamabad to review the inflationary trends and pricing mechanism across the country. The meeting was attended by the Chief Economist, Chief Statistician, senior officials from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, and representatives from relevant federal and provincial departments.During the meeting, the Chief Statistician presented key data indicating that the inflation rate for the fiscal year 2024-25 stood at 4.5%, significantly down from 23.4% recorded during the previous year. Minister Ahsan Iqbal highlighted this as the lowest inflation rate in the past nine years, reflecting the government's ...

Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal Hosts Chinese Ambassador: Discussions on Gwadar Port, CPEC 2.0 Expansion, Agricultural Cooperation, and Upcoming JCC

29May

By The Pakistan TimesNo Comments

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Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal Hosts Chinese Ambassador: Discussions on Gwadar Port, CPEC 2.0 Expansion, Agricultural Cooperation, and Upcoming JCC

29 May 2025, Islamabad(Kamran Raja): Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, hosted a luncheon in honor of the Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Jiang Zaidong, at his residence today. The Chinese delegation included Minister Counselor Yang Guanguan, Minister Counselor H.E. Xu Hangtian, Mr. Yang Dapeng, and Mr. Wang Jingjiu.Ambassador Jiang appreciated the recent return of peace and stability in the region and Pakistan’s responsible conduct during the conflict and hoped that peace will bring dividends for Pakistan. Minister Iqbal extended gratitude to the Ambassador and the Chinese government for extending Pakistan unwavering support during time of crisis.“At every critical juncture in our history, China has stood by Pakistan as a ...

5th RASTA Conference: A Convergence of Policy, Research, and Economic Transformation

26Feb

By The Pakistan TimesNo Comments

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5th RASTA Conference: A Convergence of Policy, Research, and Economic Transformation

Islamabad, February 26, 2025(Kamran Raja):The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) inaugurated the 5th RASTA Conference, reaffirming its commitment to evidence-based policymaking, economic innovation, and research-driven reforms. As Pakistan’s largest economic and public policy research grant initiative, RASTA has grown into a dynamic platform for intellectual discourse, collaboration, and actionable policy solutions. The conference brought together renowned academics, policymakers, and development experts, fostering an open exchange of ideas on Pakistan’s economic future. Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary, the chief guest, delivered a compelling keynote address, likening Pakistan’s economic journey to an athlet...

Ahsan Iqbal, chaired a high-level consultative meeting on enhancing the efficiency of Karachi ports by improving hinterland connectivity

22Nov

By The Pakistan TimesNo Comments

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Ahsan Iqbal, chaired a high-level consultative meeting on enhancing the efficiency of Karachi ports by improving hinterland connectivity

22 Nov 2024, Islamabad: Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, chaired a high-level consultative meeting on enhancing the efficiency of Karachi ports by improving hinterland connectivity here in Islamabad on Friday.The meeting was attended by Secretary Planning Awais Manzur Sumra, Member Infrastructure Waqas Anwar, CEO of the Public Private Partnership Authority, and senior representatives from the Ministries of Maritime Affairs, Communications, Railways, Aviation Division, and Commerce Division.During the meeting, Member Infrastructure Waqas Anwar presented a detailed briefing on improving port efficiency. He provided a progress update from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs regarding a committee constituted by the Prime Minister’s Office ...

Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, chaired the 4th meeting of the Policy and Strategy Committee (PSC) and the Oversight Board on Post-Flood Reconstruction Activities

9Sep

By The Pakistan TimesNo Comments

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Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, chaired the 4th meeting of the Policy and Strategy Committee (PSC) and the Oversight Board on Post-Flood Reconstruction Activities

Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, chaired the 4th meeting of the Policy and Strategy Committee (PSC) and the Oversight Board on Post-Flood Reconstruction Activities. The meeting was attended by the Secretary Planning, Secretary Economic Affairs, Chief Secretaries of all Provinces, the Country Directors of the World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB), the UN Resident Coordinator, the UNDP Resident Representative, the Deputy Head of Mission of the EU and senior officials from the Planning Commission.The agenda of the meeting included a review and follow-up on decisions made during the 3rd PSC meeting, a progress review of ongoing 4RF projects, updates on flood reconstruction and coordination efforts with UNDP, and the current status of ...