A meeting was held today at the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives under the chairmanship of Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal here in Islamabad on Thursday. The session welcomed newly appointed members of the Planning Commission, consultants, and Young Development Fellows (YDFs). Senior officials of the Ministry, including Secretary Planning Awais Manzoor Sumra, were also attended the meeting. In his opening remarks, Minister Ahsan Iqbal extended a warm welcome to the new members and highlighted the critical role of the Planning Commission as the government's premier think tank. He emphasized its historical significance in shaping national vision and development roadmaps. “The Planning Commission now boasts a strong, professional team after a comprehensive recruitment process based entirely on merit. This team will play a pivotal role in driving the country’s development agenda forward,” the Minister stated. He further underscored that no other ministry possesses such a large and diverse pool of human resources and stressed the importance of utilizing this talent productively. Minister Ahsan Iqbal also introduced the “Uraan-e-Pakistan” initiative, describing it as a comprehensive roadmap for the country’s economic development. He noted that sector-specific policies and implementation plans have already been developed, and the focus must now shift to effective execution. He directed all officers of the Ministry to submit concept papers for research studies relevant to their respective sectors. “The Planning Commission should aim to produce at least twelve high-quality research studies annually to support evidence-based policymaking,” he said. The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to promoting gender equality, highlighting opportunities for women to excel and lead within the organization. Speaking at the occasion, Secretary Planning Awais Manzoor Sumra acknowledged the current space constraints within the Ministry and assured that steps are being taken to improve the working environment for all staff members.
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