Washington: Pakistan-US Knowledge Corridor and China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) are key projects that would take Pakistan to new heights in coming years as regards national development, Federal Minister Planning, Development & Reform Ahsan Iqbal said, while addressing Pakistani students at University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia USA.
Present government is working hard to lay strong foundation of knowledge economy. For this purpose, the budget of Higher Education Commission (HEC) has been jacked up to Rs.78 billion from Rs.48 billion in two years, he said adding further by saying Pakistan an “emerging success story”.
Ahsan Iqbal said that federal government is fully committed to promote higher education in the country through its improved accessibility to people in far-flung areas of the country. In this regard, university campuses would be set up at all districts of the country.
He noted that we have been lagging behind in the world by ignoring science & technology, which should be focused greatly to survive in present economic-ideological era. “We have to follow agenda based on hard work, quality and command on technology to move forward in today’s competitive world”, he stated. However, some elements in politics and media always portray a gloomy picture of the country. “We need to infuse positivity in the nation that is the panacea to overcome all problems, he asserted. He called upon Pakistani students, studying abroad to contribute in country’s development by returning to the homeland once they complete their studies.
The minister also apprised a gathering of Pakistani-American community in New York about the government’s efforts to develop modern infrastructure in the country for greater regional integration. He described China-Pakistan Economic Corridor would bring prosperity and progress to the people.
