Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal stated that Pakistan currently does not have any hybrid system in place, emphasizing that all state institutions are united in pursuing the nation’s interests and shared objectives. He made these remarks while addressing the Pakistani media in Houston after an event organized by the Pakistan Consulate and community leader Tahir Javed.
Iqbal highlighted that the existing institutional cohesion is a key strength for Pakistan, contributing to significant achievements in diplomatic, defence, and economic sectors. He dismissed the notion of internal conflicts or power struggles between institutions, asserting that complete alignment between political leadership and state bodies is an asset rather than a weakness. The positive outcomes of this unity have been evident on the global stage, particularly in diplomacy and economics.
Addressing the topic of creating new provinces, the minister criticized the decentralization process following the 18th Constitutional Amendment. Although powers were transferred from the federal government to provinces, he noted that these authorities have not sufficiently trickled down to grassroots levels. The anticipated improvements in education, health, and social services over the past 15 years have not materialized because provincial powers remain concentrated in a few centers.
Iqbal proposed establishing approximately 160 empowered district governments across the four provinces to enhance local service delivery. He argued that it is administratively impractical to manage entire provinces from their capitals—Karachi for Sindh, Lahore for Punjab, Peshawar for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Quetta for Balochistan. Genuine devolution to the district level is therefore essential, warning that failure to do so could lead to increased demands for new provinces in the future.
Reflecting on his recent visit to the United States, Iqbal described it as highly beneficial for Pakistan despite being a private trip. He engaged in important discussions with Silicon Valley technology firms, artificial intelligence specialists, and leading academic institutions, resulting in agreements to promote AI, startups, research, and modern education within Pakistan.
Notable progress was also reported in collaborations with institutions such as the University of Illinois Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology, the University of Chicago, and Cornell University. These partnerships aim to expand cooperation in robotic surgery, higher education, and the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor initiative.
When questioned about the stability of the ruling coalition and speculation regarding MQM-P’s potential departure from the PML-N-led government, Iqbal acknowledged that minor disagreements are common in coalition governments. However, he affirmed that the alliance remains intact, with all parties understanding the seriousness of the country’s challenges and working together in the national interest. He added that the prime minister promptly addresses any grievances raised by coalition partners.
Iqbal expressed optimism that Pakistan will advance as a strong, prosperous, and self-reliant nation through political stability, institutional harmony, grassroots power devolution, technological advancement, education, and international partnerships.
He emphasized that Pakistan-US relations should evolve beyond security and geopolitical concerns. Historically, ties between the two countries have fluctuated based on geopolitical interests, strengthening when aligned and weakening when diverging. In the future, cooperation could be broadened into a stable, long-term partnership by expanding collaboration in geoeconomics, trade, investment, education, research, artificial intelligence, innovation, and technology.
Further educational collaboration with American universities is underway, including discussions with the University of Illinois Chicago on robotic surgery, plans with the Illinois Institute of Technology to establish a campus in Pakistan, and efforts with the University of Chicago and Cornell University to increase higher education opportunities for Pakistani students under the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor. These initiatives have received positive responses from the institutions involved.
During his visit to NASA in Houston, Iqbal highlighted the importance of space technology for Pakistan, especially given the risks posed by climate change. Talks with the US space agency focused on enhancing space education and exploration at the school level in Pakistan to inspire children with the wonders of the universe and humanity’s space endeavors.
Pakistan has made notable strides in its space program, having launched four satellites in the last two years. The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) has been tasked with achieving a successful lunar mission by 2035. Space technology is also seen as vital for addressing challenges like climate change.
An agreement was reached with US space agencies and experts to promote space education in schools, aiming to cultivate scientific curiosity and interest in space research among younger generations. Iqbal referenced the Holy Quran’s call to reflect on the universe, urging Muslims to revive the tradition of scientific inquiry and knowledge. He stressed that connecting youth to science, space research, and modern technology from an early age could position Pakistan prominently in global scientific and knowledge fields.
Iqbal also noted that Pakistan’s recent diplomatic, economic, and defence accomplishments have elevated the country’s global standing. Economic stability has boosted confidence among international financial institutions, while the success of the Marka-e-Haq operation has showcased Pakistan’s defence capabilities. Additionally, effective diplomacy promoting regional peace has positively influenced the national economy.
To sustain these gains, the minister emphasized the need to focus on strengthening the economy and boosting exports. The government’s priority is to achieve economic self-reliance through increased export capacity, as dependence on the IMF and other external financial bodies cannot end until Pakistan significantly enhances its foreign exchange earnings.
He called on the Pakistani diaspora to actively promote Pakistani products worldwide, encouraging every overseas Pakistani to serve as an economic ambassador by introducing and marketing national products in new markets. This, he said, would be a crucial step toward Pakistan’s economic independence.
