LAHORE: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has said that universities must evolve into national think tanks and catalysts for economic growth.

He was visiting the new campus of the Government College University (GCU) Lahore at Kala Shah Kaku to review ongoing infrastructural development and the expansion of academic activities.

During the visit, the minister was given a comprehensive briefing by Vice Chancellor Prof Omer Chaudhry regarding the campus’ progress, future development phases and the strategic alignment of its academic programmes with national needs.

Addressing the faculty and administration, the federal minister declared that the future of nations is now decided in laboratories and classrooms.

He urged higher education institutions to shift their focus from mere academic publications to a “national development impact factor”.

Universities, he stated, must evolve into national think tanks and catalysts for economic growth through the commercialisation of research and robust academia-industry linkages.

Highlighting the infrastructural milestones at the Kala Shah Kaku campus, the minister revealed that he had personally insisted the new facilities be built as an architectural replica of GCU’s historic main campus to preserve its iconic signature.

Furthermore, he noted that a new, state-of-the-art laboratory complex for the Physics Department was nearing

completion, a project he initiated.

The minister underscored the unforgiving pace of global innovation, citing the downfall of various tech giants as a stark warning to those who fail to adapt. “Knowledge that used to become obsolete in a decade is now outdated in ten days,” he remarked.

Mr Iqbal challenged Pakistani universities to abolish “office hours” for research, urging them to keep libraries and laboratories operational 24/7, akin to the world’s top-tier academic institutions.

Transitioning to socio-political challenges, the minister emphasised the need to equip the youth with both the right skill set and the right value set ahead of Pakistan’s centenary in 2047.

Citing World Economic Forum reports, he warned students against the dual threats of fake news and polarisation, which were weaponised to sow internal discord.

Advocating for unity in diversity, Mr Iqbal stressed that political differences must not lead to national disintegration.

“We may have different political choices, but our ultimate address is one: Pakistan,” he remarked.

He concluded his address by expressing hope that Government College University will continue its proud Ravian legacy by producing the country’s future Nobel laureates, unicorn entrepreneurs, and visionary scientists who will create new knowledge rather than simply consuming it.

Published in Dawn, September 5th, 2026