Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said the successful establishment of a strong linkage between academia and industry was a hallmark of the PML-N government, stressing the urgent need to keep pace with the 4th Industrial Revolution.

Addressing the concluding session of a seminar on "Implementation of Industry 4.0," at NUST Islamabad, he highlighted that the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government had established several national centers during its 2013-2018 tenure.

He said these are not merely research centers rather, they are an industry-driven program designed to support the launch of start-ups in collaboration with labs established in various universities.

The minister said that under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the PML-N government had introduced prudent policies that were now yielding positive economic results.

The minister underscored the need for peace, political stability, ten-year continuity in policies and a consistent reform agenda to achieve national development and prosperity.