Pakistan world's fastest-growing Muslim economy: Ahsan lqbal

E-Paper | March 18, 2026

Minister of Planning and Development of Pakistan Ahsan lqbal on Monday said the international community has termed Pakistan as the fastest-growing Muslim economy in the world, adding that 2018 will be the year when the country "overcomes [its] energy shortage", Radio Pakistan reported.

Iqbal was addressing the inaugural ceremony of CPEC Centre of Excellence in Islamabad.

The planning and development minister said that many projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will formally reach completion in 2018, which will subsequently bolster Pakistan's capacity to generate power.

Iqbal added that the centre will serve as "guiding star" for both policymakers and investors, allowing them to collaborate and implement goals set under CPEC.

He further said that the centre's research is streamlined towards six key areas under CPEC, including the socio-economic impact of the project, job opportunities it will create, trade and industrial development, regional connectivity, financial integration and urban development.

The centre will also help in debunking myths and false information "being militated against the project", the minister added, saying CPEC is a "corridor of peace and prosperity".

Speaking on the occasion, China's Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong announced that in a bid to strengthen capacity building, the two countries are launching a "talent exchange programme" to allow those interested to research and study in China.

He added that CPEC is a "symbol of friendship" between the two countries, and that China will assist the Pakistani government and provide "all necessary facilities to the centre".

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Adnan Anwar

Mar 27, 2017 07:37pm

What data he has as proof for these claims.

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subuhi tabbasum

Mar 27, 2017 07:38pm

Also we have the second most degraded passports in the world dur to non-serious approach towards terrorism.

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Abdullah

Mar 27, 2017 07:35pm

Great news.... But we need som "deep structural reforms" to really grow .... its only then growth will be sustainable

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amumiya

Mar 27, 2017 07:41pm

the name of that international community is a state kept secret ? as clear and open as details of cpec ?

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JKhan

Mar 27, 2017 07:46pm

You are still a Minister? You said you would resign if Gen Musharraf went abroad!! And why is it only Ministers speak about economic development etc. Nobody else!

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Naveed Iqbal

Mar 27, 2017 07:47pm

He is beating about the bush only. CPEC is still a concept that does not hold enough practical grounds.

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JKhan

Mar 27, 2017 07:43pm

@amumiya you said it.

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Rizwan

Mar 27, 2017 07:44pm

@Adnan Anwar u don't see or u love pti. Pakistan doing better and better. World saying pakistan better then 4 year ago

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Falcon1

Mar 27, 2017 07:51pm

"that 2018 will be the year when the country "overcomes [its] energy shortage" Well, isn't that convenient!? Just in time to get re-elected? Have we not heard such claims a million times before??

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Rizwan

Mar 27, 2017 07:51pm

@Adnan Anwar Less poverty and increasing middle class Pakistan has made substantial progress in reducing poverty since the turn of the century, declining from 64.3% percent in 2001 to 29.5% percent in 2014. 38% of all households are now considered to be middle-class, while another 4% are upper class. Source: WSJ.com As per the Wall Street Journal: [These middle class] households are likely to have a motorcycle, color TV, refrigerator, washing machine and at least one member who has completed school up to the age of 16, the study found. Official figures show that the proportion of households that own a motorcycle soared to 34% in 2014 from 4% in 1991, and a washing machine to 47% from 13% over that same period. These trends are also attracting international business.

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ALVi

Mar 27, 2017 07:53pm

Noon league is a name of Corruption

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Rizwan

Mar 27, 2017 07:53pm

Pakistan is getting better thank u Mr ns Less poverty and increasing middle class Pakistan has made substantial progress in reducing poverty since the turn of the century, declining from 64.3% percent in 2001 to 29.5% percent in 2014. 38% of all households are now considered to be middle-class, while another 4% are upper class. Source: WSJ.com As per the Wall Street Journal: [These middle class] households are likely to have a motorcycle, color TV, refrigerator, washing machine and at least one member who has completed school up to the age of 16, the study found. Official figures show that the proportion of households that own a motorcycle soared to 34% in 2014 from 4% in 1991, and a washing machine to 47% from 13% over that same period. These trends are also attracting international business.

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ABE

Mar 27, 2017 07:54pm

@Rizwan - Hope you can reach those Pakistanis still languishing in detentions centers in Hungary and Greece, hoping to find a better future through asylum in Europe.

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Nowsherwi

Mar 27, 2017 07:55pm

If that's true than why people are not seeing it

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M.Saeed

Mar 27, 2017 07:57pm

I wonder why the dynamic Minister for Planning and Development is oblivious of the world's largest water storage only dam capable of storing 22 MAF of water in the lower Punjab region, lying planned and basically designed in the archives for last exactly 50 years!! In comparison, China's Three Gorges Dam has the present largest storage capacity in the world of 19 MAF. If constructed, Pakistan would be free from water worries at least for the next 500 years.

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Harmony-1©

Mar 27, 2017 07:56pm

@Adnan Anwar - No data just tall claims. Just like 4 years ago claim that load-shedding will be over in 6 months!

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M.Saeed

Mar 27, 2017 07:59pm

@Adnan Anwar: Let his adversaries in opposition ask this question in the National Assembly. Data cannot be given in such inaugural ceremonies.

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The end is near

Mar 27, 2017 07:59pm

Its very easy to make claims. However, the reality is that any claim is empty, baseless and without any weight, until and unless it is supported with proofs and evidences. How many people Do we know that claims big things, claiming this and that, however having nothing to back up these claims. ?

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SID

Mar 27, 2017 07:57pm

If I m not wrong Pakistan will undergo election in 2018 ?? And power surplus; how many times the deadlines has been postponed ?

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Sensible Desi

Mar 27, 2017 08:04pm

what a achievement... !!!

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syed wasim haider

Mar 27, 2017 08:08pm

Looks not possible with the current corrupt practices. Imports are on rise but exports are going down. Yes it may be possible if honest and dedicated people are inducted to run the government in all the 5 provinces. It is good to listen Mr. Iqbal Ahan but difficult to believe. I wish if is true.

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Zaheer Hassan

Mar 27, 2017 08:05pm

Pakistan world's fastest-growing Muslim economy - that is a lie that Nobody would believe. The fact is that Pakistan is world's fastest-growing Muslim economy in Corruption only that none of PMLN ministers would admit.

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Arshad patel

Mar 27, 2017 08:12pm

what a nonsense statement! your 80% of population live under poverty line, majority don't have access to potable water, food and clothes with shelters. your primary education system doesn't exist. Yes, you can claim Pakistan will be the poorest Muslim growing economy where politicians suck the poors to fill in their coffers.

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Truth

Mar 27, 2017 08:16pm

We are indeed growing faster in corrupt practices, than any other nation on earth - Muslim or otherwise. That is the only dubious distinction we can claim - proudly!

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Satyameva Jayate

Mar 27, 2017 08:13pm

Ignorance thrives. He like most of his peers and people think that the performance of the Stock Market is a measure of Economic Growth. The measure of Economic Growth is the Rate of Growth of the GDP, not that of the Stock Market. ... If the masses are happy to accept his claims why should he correct himself?

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Justice

Mar 27, 2017 08:22pm

The fact is , Pakistanis also under the control of world's corrupted political party.

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Waqar

Mar 27, 2017 08:24pm

That's mean we're ahead of UAE.

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N_Saq

Mar 27, 2017 08:29pm

Okay, I will give the minister the benefit of the doubt (though I doubt it). Anyway, what does it mean "fastest growing Muslim economy"? Where are the numbers to show how good the Muslim countries are doing compared to the rest of the world? If Muslim countries are at the bottom then it means Pak is the best at the bottom? Why is Pak comparing it to only Muslim countries? What about compared to China, India, US, Europe etc? Why are we bent upon setting the bar so low? Is it really something to feel proud about? The minister has not provided all the details, there is a lot of data missing here.

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Seriously?

Mar 27, 2017 08:34pm

How do we stand against economy of BANGLADESH ...simple question

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PAKLANDER

Mar 27, 2017 08:33pm

People who study and work hard succeed in any environment (Asia, Africa, etc). People who do not study or work hard don't get anywhere and always blame their governments for their failures (North America, Europe, etc). This CPEC project will be useless unless and until eduction culture is introduced in Pakistan. Let's face it, vast majority of Pakistanis are uneducated. Also most of the people who complain about government usually have more than half of dozen uneducated kids. Start a small family culture and stuff population control. Pakistan needs fundamental changes. CPEC is a good opportunity but it is not a magic pill to fix everything in pakistan

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Zealot

Mar 27, 2017 08:34pm

But i m studying this newspaper in absense of Electricity,AMID BITING OF MOSQUITOES!!!

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danny

Mar 27, 2017 08:41pm

Please databank of world bank. The GDP growth of Pakistan and Bangladesh for 2015 (latest data available for this year) is 4.7 % and 6.6 %. Which data is he talking about??

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Dr BILAL Ahamed

Mar 27, 2017 08:41pm

Failed to understand....what is muslim economy? Does he know what is "economy"?

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®pot_belly dancer ω

Mar 27, 2017 08:43pm

I guess now CPEC will be a medicine for all ailments in Pakistan. Guys why do you just count on this isn't there any other developmental activities taking in Pakistan ? First increase ur exports. Provide uninterrupted electricity for ur industries etc.

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Saeeds

Mar 27, 2017 08:59pm

Do we have to bring religion in every thing.

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Marketing

Mar 27, 2017 09:11pm

Just Marketing.. Reality is something bitter.

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MOHAMMAD IQBAL

Mar 27, 2017 09:22pm

@Adnan Anwar . No data required for blowing own trumpet

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MSAlvi

Mar 27, 2017 09:35pm

Ahsan Iqbal has been saying this for the last 20 years. The country has been going down all those years.

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JAredlee67

Mar 27, 2017 09:41pm

Again an attempt to bring religion into secular matters. What non-sense ministers are these who just want to say something for nothing.

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Sab se pehle pakistan

Mar 27, 2017 09:43pm

There is no limit to PML-N's lies.

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SID

Mar 27, 2017 10:00pm

As per WB report ; GDP growth rate of following countries for the year 2015 , Oman 5.7 %, Uzbekistan 8.0 %, Bangladesh 6.6 % , Turkmenistan 6.5 % ,Indonesia 4.8 % , Malaysia 5.0% , Mali 6.0 %, Senegal 6.5 % (Pakistan 4.7% ). Still Pakistan fastest growing Muslim economy ?? http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG

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Sab se pehle pakistan

Mar 27, 2017 10:09pm

This is an absolute lie

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AHA

Mar 27, 2017 10:37pm

Joke of the day or week or month or year?

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Iftikhar

Mar 27, 2017 11:09pm

dear ahsan iqbal please stop making such statements, there is no any economy in our beloved country. stop fooling the people of pakistan please. nobody sees any economy in pakistan. there is no any relief to the nation of this so called evonomy of pakistan.

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PhIlosopher(from japan)

Mar 27, 2017 11:24pm

Living in a fool's paradise.

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azam khan

Mar 28, 2017 12:46am

@Rizwan, what role did the current government play in what little (so called) progress has been reported.

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Truth will Always Prevail

Mar 28, 2017 07:37am

He meant to say PMLN MNAs Bank account are the fastest growing accounts in 3rd world country

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