The Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives and the Planning Commission of Pakistan have constituted a high-level ‘Policy Board’, under the visionary leadership of Professor Ahsan Iqbal to ensure economic stability in the country.
“This initiative aims to enhance transparency and improve the economic planning process of the country with the active participation of private sector and corporate leaders,” a news release said on Saturday.
The Policy Board, led by Professor Ahsan Iqbal, comprises a diverse group of esteemed members from various sectors, including former federal ministers, industry leaders, academic experts and international professionals.
Notable members include Shahid Ashraf Tarar, Ex-Caretaker Federal Minister; Musadaq Zulqarnain, Chairman of Interloop Limited; Dr Rana Iqrar, Vice Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad and and Naveed Sherwani, an IT expert from the USA.
The board has been tasked with several critical responsibilities like providing advisory on policy formulation and strategy development, offering guidance on policies and strategies aimed at promoting mid and long-term economic growth.
Additionally, it would offer insights on national and international economic issues, reviewing macroeconomic trends and providing economic outlooks to inform policy decisions.
The board would also evaluate national plans and economic reports to offer recommendations, assess socio-economic trends to support evidence-based policy advice, and advice on policies to enhance national innovation and competitiveness.
Furthermore, the board would integrate sustainable development goals into national economic strategies, facilitate dialogue with key stakeholders, and promote international cooperation. Besides, it would review the impact of major economic policies to evaluate their effectiveness.
Chairing the first meeting of the Policy Board, Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the importance of this initiative in stabilizing Pakistan’s economy.
He highlighted that the participation of the private sector would significantly improve the Planning Commission’s performance.
The board members will play a crucial role in developing strategic frameworks and preparing short, medium and long-term plans.—APP
