Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has officially launched the Champions of Reforms (CORs) network, which will bring together experts from various fields to support Pakistan’s socioeconomic development. The minister said that the main goal of this initiative is to engage professionals who can help the government in policy making and implementation.

According to Ahsan Iqbal, the true expertise is found outside of the government and should be used to advance the country's socioeconomic development. He stated that the initiative offers an appropriate platform for individuals with necessary abilities to step up and contribute positively to the country’s growth.

It should be underlined that a number of significant steps have been taken since the government took office in April last year to put the country on the path of growth despite limited funding. The initiatives include the development of 20 poorest districts in Pakistan through Rs 40 billion. Specifically, the programmes include the PM Youth Initiatives, the reintroduction of the laptop scheme for students, the Governance Innovation Lab, and a number of infrastructure projects.

The planning ministry is already working on "Outlook 2035," which will provide predictions for the country's future requirements, Ahsan Iqbal stated. The "Outlook 2035" will establish the country's goals in a number of areas, and help achieve political stability and policy consistency, he added.

The ministry's five pillars, or 5Es, namely exports, E-Pakistan, equity, energy, and the environment, were underlined by Ahsan Iqbal. Any country's ability to export is a major factor in its ability to develop, and Pakistan has to embrace an export-led model of policy, which the government has not yet done, he added. Officials from the Planning Ministry and experts with various backgrounds attended the first COR meeting and exchanged ideas.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk