Ahsan Iqbal has said that inequalities in incomes and opportunities should be ended to achieve the goals of sustainable development. This is only possible by redistribution of resources and revenues to help the people in lower rungs of society.

He was addressing the “Grand National Dialogue on Socioeconomic Development to Mitigate Disparities” here in Islamabad, organized by the Center of Pakistan and International Relations (COPAIR) and the Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI). He appreciated the efforts of think tanks in initiating conversations on economy, policy, society and growth.

Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the importance of knowledge in the building of an economy. “In the 21 century,  knowledge of computing technologies will be highly important for growth and competition. Digital technologies and their gadgets are ubiquitous phenomena. Digital skills are very important for youth to grow and improve their productivity.”

“Governments around the world have started to give the same importance to digital technology as they give to poverty, health, security and economic development. Separating your lives from technology is becoming impossible,” he added.

“Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme launched in 2010 helped millions of students to get knowledge of digital technology. They then started earning money online. This is the reason that Pakistan is among the top exporters of IT products,” he continued.

Dr Amina Munawar Awan, President of COPAIR, highlighted the role of think tanks in generating debate on key issues of economic and social development. She also apprised the audience on the initiatives of COPAIR to formulate policy recommendations on economic and social questions. “COPAIR will also formulate its recommendations regarding sustainable development goals and socio-economic reforms,” she said.

Chairman COPAIR and former Ambassador Khalid said that “there is a need to set new goals for social and economic development of the country. We have inequalities in all sectors and these have also arisen because of innovation in the field of digital technology.”

Dr Raza Muhammad, President of IPRI, stressed the need for the formulation of policies which increase equality in the society. He said that the elimination of discrimination is also very important, especially against women. “Dialogues and debates on such critical issues are very important if theoretical foundations are to be corrected and equality is to be achieved,” he said.

Rana Ehsan Afzal who serves as the Prime Minister’s Coordinator for Commerce said that “inequality was the main reason for Pakistan’s under-development. Sustainable Development Agenda, however, has basic elements and it needs to be pushed forward.”

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk