ISLAMABAD: Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has defended the inclusion of donor agency representatives in the newly formed Poverty Estimation Committee, saying it aims to prevent discrepancies and ensure accurate cross-verification of poverty data before release. The government hopes this move will enhance credibility and transparency in reporting.
Iqbal stressed that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) remains a top priority, noting that $25 billion in Chinese investment stalled between 2018 and 2022 due to previous government policies. He said the current administration has restarted CPEC work from “ground zero” and highlighted plans for 10,000 PhD scholarships with China and another 10,000 through the Knowledge Corridor with the United States.
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On education and governance, the minister announced that the Higher Education Commission will conduct a performance audit of universities across seven parameters. He also noted an MoU with Cambridge University to promote entrepreneurship among students and highlighted the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which integrated Armed Forces structures to meet modern operational requirements.
Discussing economic performance, Iqbal said Pakistan showed resilience during recent floods through coordinated NDMA-led relief and contingency planning. He reported that inflation, which had been low in July and August, temporarily rose due to flood disruptions but averaged 4.7% for July-October, down from 8.7% the previous year. Large-scale manufacturing is showing recovery, while FBR tax collection grew 11.4% year-on-year.
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Exports of goods saw a slight 0.7% rise in July-August but fell 4% over July-October due to floods. Meanwhile, services exports grew 14.7%, with IT exports up 20.5%. Imports rose 15.1%, reflecting industrial activity, while remittances reached $13 billion, up 9.3% from last year. Iqbal said these measures highlight the government’s focus on economic stability, human development, and transparency in governance.
