ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has reiterated that China would invest $45 billion in projects in Pakistan in the next three to four years.

Mr Ahsan said $34 billion will be invested in energy and $11 billion in infrastructure. He said this after delivering a lecture on “democracy, development and role of youth,” organised by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDIP).

“The investment is crucial as it will help revive the manufacturing sector, generate employment and reduce poverty,” he said.

The government has completed LNG terminal and from the early next year, gas supply from the facility would run into the system, he added.

The minister said Pakistan should live in peace with all its neighbours and should not interfere in the internal affairs of Afghanistan, which is a big market for Pakistan. He said that India lost opportunity in Pakistan because of its recent aggressive posture.

Ahsan Iqbal said his government was pursuing five basic prerequisites for translating growth into development, which includes political stability, right economic agenda, investing on human resource, avoiding conflicts and enabling technological solutions.

It is the reason why the Higher Education Com­mission has been given its budget without any cut. To improve the status of education, the National Education Curriculum Council has been introduced to standardise the certification system, the minister added.

Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed shared programme of the commission for the next few years that includes enabling internet throughout the university campus and handholding concept for improving local educational institutions in the vicinity of universities.

SDPI’s Executive Director Dr Abid Qayium Suleri in his introductory remarks said, depoliticising youth by banning student unions has played a negative role in building political diaspora.

Published in Dawn, October 21st , 2014