Federal Minister for Planning , Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal said that government is focusing on social sector to create a sustainable socio-economic platform for development.
He said that the economic indicator of Pakistan clearly indicate that Pakistan was among middle income countries, but at the same time, the social indicators were alarming . As a result it fells among the least developed countries. He said this while addressing a conference on national consultation on Sustainable Development Goal 3 here on Wednesday .The conference was also attended by State Minister for National Health Services Saira Afzal Tara and provincial health ministers .
The Minister mentioned that Vision 2025 proposes corrective measures to remove structural weakness of Pakistan’s socioeconomic framework. He emphasized that government looks forward to collaborate with the civil society and development sector to create awareness among people about the significance and how to raise healthy future generations. ”Today is the age of knowledge economy which requires superior human resources and brain power to do innovation and critical thinking and that requires physical and cognitive development of children to their full potential”, he said .
Minister noted that first time in the history of Pakistan ,UN charted SDGs were internalized as national development agenda and Pakistan was the first country to adopt SDGs 2030 agenda through a unanimous resolution of Parliament Mr. Iqbal noted that after 18th amendment, poverty, health , education and nutrition fall under provincial governments but the federal government did not surrender her role of coordination and is facilitating provinces for inclusive and sustainable growth.
At the federal level, a SDGs Monitoring and Coordination Unit is being set up in the Ministry of Planning , Development and Reform to serve as a national coordinating entity with similar units in the provinces. At the provincial level specifically, the government has begun the process of integrating the SDGs to make those part of the Annual Development Plans . Analysis are being made to identify gaps and financial allocations.
”Infant mortality rate, stunting and wasting rates are very high in Pakistan which is very alarming and we as a country have already failed our children said minister. Ahsan Iqbal noted that federal government has launched “Prime Minister’ National Health Insurance Program” to improve the health status of the population in the country, enhancing coverage and access to secondary and priority treatments of the poor and vulnerable population.
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