Ahsan for transformational governance to achieve $1trn economy by 2035
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday stressed the need to embrace transformational governance and foster collective national synergy to achieve the goal of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2035, instead of settling for “business as usual.”
Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day Pakistan Governance Forum-2026, themed “Reimagining Governance for URAAN Pakistan,” which was formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the minister said governance was the decisive factor in determining whether the country reached a $600 billion or a $1 trillion economy by 2035.
“We have two paths before us. If we continue with business as usual, Pakistan will become a $600 billion economy by 2035. But if we move forward with transformational reforms and positive synergy, we can achieve the $1 trillion target.”
He stressed that governance was not about speeches but about actionable outcomes. “Good governance is the ability of a system to achieve its targets in a merit-based, transparent, accountable and citizen-focused manner so that it improves the lives of the people,” he added.
The minister said the forum was designed as a platform for debate and diverse viewpoints to generate actionable recommendations under the government’s URAAN Pakistan agenda, structured around the 5Es – Equity, Exports, Energy, Environment and E-Pakistan.
Highlighting the centrality of governance in the reform agenda, he said the government, through structural reforms over the past two years, had steered the country away from the brink of default and restored international confidence.
Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan’s economic sovereignty would depend on boosting exports beyond $100 billion by 2035. “Exports are the lifeline of our future. Without achieving this scale, we cannot ensure economic independence,” he remarked.
He pointed out that while around nine million overseas Pakistanis were contributing $40 billion in foreign exchange, 240 million people at home were generating exports of only $40 billion. “If nine million Pakistanis can earn $40 billion abroad, then 240 million citizens should be able to generate at least $400 billion. This gap is a governance challenge,” he observed.
The minister also highlighted key structural issues, including a 2.55 percent population growth rate, 40 percent stunting among children, and 25 million out-of-school children, terming them critical governance challenges.
Calling for national unity, the minister urged political stakeholders to set aside differences for economic progress. “Now is not the time for political long marches or internal conflicts. It is time for an economic long march,” he said, adding that all provinces and political personalities must work together as “Team Pakistan” to ensure sustainable growth and self-reliance.
He assured the prime minister that the Ministry of Planning, in collaboration with federal and provincial governments, would pursue the reform agenda with dedication and transparency, enabling citizens to monitor development projects through an open public portal. Staff Report
