Minister calls for shunning political differences to foster national development

Islamabad:With 12 out of the 17 the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals focusing on poverty eradication, zero hunger, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work, reduced inequalities, and peace, planning and development minister Ahsan Iqbal announced the formation of 17 task forces to achieve SDGs while urging political players in the country to transcend differences to foster national development.

“Collective efforts are need from all sectors of society to alleviate poverty and put Pakistan on the path to sustainable development. Political forces and experts from all walks of life must come together to take the country forward. Instead of protesting on the streets, it is imperative that we all sit in parliament and at other forums to contribute to national development and stability,” Mr Iqbal told a function organised by his ministry here to mark International Day for the Eradication of Poverty.

He said that the task forces on SGDs would bring together experts from government, political parties, opposition representatives, and both public and private sectors to collaborate in driving progress toward those goals.

The planning minister pointed out that sustainable development was not just a UN agenda but also an agenda for the welfare of the Pakistani people. He said that in 2016, the then Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's government formally adopted SDGs as a national agenda through a resolution in the National Assembly, making Pakistan the first country to do so at a parliamentary level. Discussing the Vision 2025 launched in 2013 with a focus on poverty alleviation, he pointed out that human resource development was essential for any country’s progress.

“Without eradicating poverty, hunger, and destitution, sustainable national development is impossible,” he said. Mr Iqbal said that poverty eradication was a fundamental indicator of a society’s stability. He outlined three pillars for the success of any system of governance: economic growth, wealth creation opportunities, and equitable wealth distribution.

The minister reflected on the achievements made in the year 2017-18, saying Pakistan was emerging as a successful economy with significant progress in poverty reduction during that period.

He, however, regretted that those gains were reversed by the last government whose priorities didn't focus on the welfare of the people. Mr Iqbal voiced concern over poverty in the country and stressed the importance of collective responsibility among private entities, stakeholders, academia, and civil society.

He said that his government was committed to improving the Benazir Income Support Programme and its current efforts to enhance the economies of 20 of the most underprivileged districts by providing essential services to their residents.

The minister said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government had aligned its Five-Year Plan and the Five Es Framework, comprising exports, e-Pakistan, environment and climatechange, energy and infrastructure, and equity and empowerment, with SDGs to ensure sustainable socioeconomic development and the establishment of social equality. “Policies focusing on continuity, reforms, and political stability are the only paths to national progress,” he said.