Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Monday announced that the government will launch the National Economic Transformation Plan for the next five years tomorrow, Radio Pakistan reported.

During a 2022 briefing, Iqbal presented the former government’s four-point plan for revitalising the economy which included increasing exports, encouraging foreign investment, improving the tax-to-GDP ratio, and dealing with the loss-making, government-owned industries.

Earlier in April, Prime Min­i­s­ter Shehbaz Sharif called for the creation of a comprehensive five-year strategy to double the country’s exports and underscored the importance of a collaborative approach, asking the Min­is­try of Trade to devise the exports strategy in consultation with successful entrepreneurs and stakeholders.

“The transformation plan is based upon several factors which need to be addressed and achieved if Pakistan wants to develop and progress in future,” the minister said while addressing a ceremony of the 47th Specialised Training Programme of Pakistan Administration Service in Lahore, according to the report.

The minister emphasised focusing the country’s resources on promoting an export-based economy and developing e-commerce like automation, nanotechnology and artificial technology which will “reshape the future economics.

“Pakistan will have to blend its human resources with emerging technologies,” he was quoted as saying.

Iqbal also urged the civil servants to utilise all their capabilities to better manage public issues, as civil service is a huge responsibility, rather than just a job, the report said.

Opinion

Editorial

Token austerity
Updated 11 Mar, 2026

Token austerity

The ‘austerity’ measures are a ritualistic response to public anger rather than a sincere attempt to reform state spending.
Lebanon on fire
11 Mar, 2026

Lebanon on fire

WHILE the entire Gulf region has become an active warzone, repercussions of this conflict have spread to the...
Canine crisis
11 Mar, 2026

Canine crisis

KARACHI’S stray dog crisis requires urgent attention. Feral canines can cause serious and lasting physical and...
Iran’s new leader
Updated 10 Mar, 2026

Iran’s new leader

The position is the most powerful in Iran, bringing together clerical authority and political and ideological leadership.
National priorities
10 Mar, 2026

National priorities

EVEN as the country faces heightened risks of attacks from actual terrorists, an anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi...
Silenced march
10 Mar, 2026

Silenced march

ON the eve of International Women’s Day, Islamabad Police detained dozens of Aurat March activists who had ...