Planning minister urges ADB to help develop an export roadmap as Pakistan targets a $1 trillion economy by 2035
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has warned that Pakistan faces an existential economic challenge, saying sustainable transformation depends on expanding trade and exports rather than relying on debt-driven stabilisation.
“Stabilisation will only be true stabilisation when it is not on the back of debt. Only exports can give us the legs to grow,” Ahsan Iqbal said, describing the shift towards export-driven growth as a matter of “life and death” for the country.
The minister made the remarks during a high-level meeting with Yingming Yang, Vice President for South, Central and West Asia at the Asian Development Bank (ADB), who called on him in Islamabad to discuss the bank’s ongoing support for Pakistan’s development agenda under the URAAN Pakistan framework.
ADB urged to support export strategy
Seeking ADB technical assistance and international best practices, Ahsan Iqbal called on the bank to help develop a strategic roadmap for export expansion and diversification.
He referred to the technical support provided by the ADB during the formulation of Vision 2010, seeking similar assistance to help Pakistan strengthen its export base and achieve sustainable economic growth.
The minister reiterated the government’s ambition to transform Pakistan into a $1 trillion economy by 2035.
He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was committed to removing structural bottlenecks, reforming key sectors and using economic diplomacy to support the country’s development objectives.
The sectors identified for reform include industry, food security, commerce and foreign affairs, with export-led growth positioned as a central component of the government’s economic strategy.
Pakistan’s economic turnaround highlighted
Ahsan Iqbal described Pakistan’s economic turnaround between 2022 and 2026 as a compelling case study for developing economies.
He also asked the ADB to maintain continuous coordination with the government on development projects to ensure that programmes remain closely aligned with national priorities.
The minister stressed the importance of maximising the impact of development financing and technical assistance through stronger coordination between the government and development partners.
ADB support sought for water security
The meeting also discussed climate adaptation and water security, with Ahsan Iqbal highlighting increasingly severe and unseasonal rainfall events in Pakistan.
He urged the ADB to partner with Pakistan in developing localised water-management infrastructure, including small dams, reservoirs and retention ponds.
“We need to seriously consider developing small dams, water reservoirs, and retention ponds to store rainwater, particularly in areas where large volumes of water are currently being drained away,” the minister said.
He said stored rainwater could help protect cities, support agriculture and strengthen Pakistan’s overall water security.
Ahsan Iqbal also highlighted the challenge posed by sudden transboundary water inflows, calling for stronger measures to manage water resources and climate-related risks.
Tourism framework sought for Gilgit-Baltistan
The minister also sought ADB technical expertise to develop a sustainable tourism management framework for Gilgit-Baltistan.
He said the framework was needed to protect the region’s fragile ecosystems amid a sharp increase in visitor numbers.
The initiative would seek to balance tourism development with environmental conservation and long-term sustainability.
ADB invites Ahsan Iqbal to CAREC conference
During the meeting, Yingming Yang formally invited Ahsan Iqbal to lead Pakistan’s national delegation to the 25th CAREC Ministerial Conference, scheduled for September 29–30, 2026, in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
Ahsan Iqbal accepted the invitation.
Reaffirming the ADB’s commitment to Pakistan, Yang said the bank remained closely aligned with the government’s strategic objectives under URAAN Pakistan.
He pledged continued ADB support for institution building, climate resilience and long-term sustainable growth.