Ahsan stresses the efficient use of national resources

Business Recorder · 16/10/2026، 11:52:07 PM

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that the honest and efficient use of national resources could significantly improve development outcomes and accelerate progress across the country. Addressing a roundtable meeting on building a value-based society, character development and the promotion of shared responsibility here on Friday, he stressed that sustainable national development requires strong moral values, integrity, mutual trust and collective responsibility. He said that progress cannot be measured by economic growth and infrastructure alone. The minister said that integrity, ethics and equality must serve as fundamental pillars of Pakistan’s development agenda under URAAN Pakistan. He said, “If every individual protects public resources as carefully as their own money, Pakistan can achieve far better results from its development expenditure,” he said, calling for renewed efforts to promote integrity, discourage corruption and eliminate practices such as bribery and adulteration. “Infrastructure is the hardware of development, while ethical values are its software. Without a strong moral foundation, sustainable and meaningful progress is not possible,” he said, highlighting the importance of honesty, professional ethics and a sense of responsibility in strengthening public institutions and improving service delivery. Ahsan Iqbal observed that Pakistan’s challenge was not merely a lack of education but a weakening of character-building and moral upbringing. He said that the quality of healthcare depended not only on hospital buildings and modern equipment but also on the conduct of doctors and nurses, while responsible teachers remained essential to the success of educational institutions. He also called for promoting unity, character-building and practical moral guidance through religious and educational institutions. During the meeting, participants were briefed on a proposed framework