ISLAMABAD: Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, has said Pakistan’s economy is on the path to recovery, while emphasizing the need to prioritize and complete ongoing development projects to support sustainable growth.
Read More: Ahsan Iqbal says Pakistan saved region, slams India
Speaking at the Annual Plan Coordination Committee meeting for the 2026-27 federal budget, the minister highlighted the financial challenges facing the country’s development sector. He noted that the current development budget was not sufficient to fund all projects in a timely manner, making it essential for the government to focus resources on high-priority initiatives.
Pakistan’s economic story is not just about growing faster; it’s about growing smarter.
Speaking at the APCC 2026 Media Talk, Federal Minister Prof. Ahsan Iqbal highlighted that Pakistan’s GDP has increased from $408 billion to $452 billion, reflecting a gradual recovery in… pic.twitter.com/TyRJ6BDH98
— M/o Planning, Development and Special Initiatives (@PlanComPakistan) June 1, 2026
Ahsan Iqbal said development spending would need to increase over the long term to meet the country’s infrastructure and economic needs. At the same time, he stressed the importance of completing ongoing projects and removing finished schemes from the development portfolio to improve efficiency and resource allocation.
The minister described the large number of unfinished projects as a major challenge for planners. According to him, the federal development portfolio currently carries a throw-forward liability of around Rs10 trillion, reflecting the substantial funding required to complete approved projects in the coming years.
He further revealed that various ministries and departments had requested nearly Rs4 trillion for ongoing development schemes, far exceeding the resources available to the government. The situation, he said, underscored the need for careful planning and prioritization in the upcoming budget.
Expressing optimism about the country’s economic outlook, Ahsan Iqbal said recent improvements indicated that Pakistan’s economy was gradually stabilizing and moving toward recovery. He added that the government remained committed to supporting economic growth and improving public welfare through effective development planning and targeted investment.
Read More: Governance reform key to economic transformation: Ahsan Iqbal
The minister reiterated that development projects should directly contribute to economic productivity, job creation and public service delivery. He said the government’s objective was to ensure that limited resources were utilized efficiently while continuing efforts to provide relief and opportunities for citizens across the country.