Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal says Pakistan has entered a new phase of opportunity after achieving three major milestones of economic recovery, national resilience, and diplomatic renewal.

He was addressing students, faculty members, researchers, and members of the Pakistani community at Rice University in Houston, USA.

Ahsan Iqbal said these achievements have created a strategic opportunity for Pakistan that requires continued reforms and long-term national transformation for sustained progress.

The Minister said Pakistan's future growth depends on political stability, policy continuity, investment in human capital, meritocracy, and productivity.

Describing URAAN Pakistan as a national mission, he said the initiative aims to transform Pakistan into a productivity-led and innovation-based economy by promoting high-value exports, investment competitiveness, technology, entrepreneurship, and strategic planning.

Reaffirming the government's vision of making Pakistan a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2035, Ahsan Iqbal called upon overseas Pakistanis, academia, and young professionals to play their role in the country's sustainable and inclusive development.

Later, addressing a gathering at the Jinnah Library in Houston to commemorate the 150th birth anniversaries of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the Minister said 2026 has been declared the "Year of Quaid-e-Azam" to honour the legacy and leadership of Pakistan's founding fathers.

He said the principles of faith, unity, discipline, integrity, constitutionalism, and self-reliance continue to guide Pakistan's progress, while Allama Iqbal's philosophy of ‘Khudi’ inspires the nation to pursue excellence.

On the occasion, the Quaid-e-Azam Academy conferred its highest honour, the Jinnah Cap, on Ahsan Iqbal in recognition of his leadership and national services.