Dubai (TDI): Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives met with a delegation of the Pakistan Business Council (PBC) in Dubai. The meeting was also attended by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Consul General Hussain Muhammad and other senior officials of Pakistan’s Diplomatic Mission in the UAE.
Welcoming the Minister, Shabbir Merchant, Chairman of PBC Dubai, expressed his deep appreciation for the opportunity to engage directly with the government. He commended the Government of Pakistan for organizing the recent Overseas Convention in Islamabad, which saw active participation from the UAE-based business delegation.
Ambassador Tirmizi briefed the gathering on the Federal Minister’s recent high-level engagements in the UAE, including his meetings with the Chairman of the Department of Government Enablement, Abu Dhabi, and the Secretary General of the Executive Council of Dubai. He also thanked the Minister for visiting community school in Abu Dhabi and gracing the Pakistan Day Reception hosted by the Consulate General in Dubai.
Recalling his long-standing association with the Pakistan Business Council since 1998, Minister Ahsan Iqbal urged the Pakistani business community in the UAE to actively contribute to enhancing Pakistan’s exports and attracting foreign investment to support the country’s economic growth.
The Minister emphasized that peace and harmony, political stability, continuity of policies, and commitment to reforms are critical for Pakistan’s long-term development. He also elaborated his government’s economic vision, “Uraan Pakistan” aiming to achieve $1 Trillion economy by 2035, which focuses on five key pillars.
These include export-led growth, transition to a technology-driven economy, environmental sustainability and climate action, energy and infrastructure development, and inclusive growth rooted in equity, ethics, and empowerment.
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Recognizing the valuable contributions of overseas Pakistanis through remittances, the Minister stressed the need for improving the quality and facilities of community schools in the UAE to ensure provision of quality education. He also underscored the government’s commitment to enhancing consular services and assured that necessary steps would be taken to expand the premises of the Consulate General in Dubai.
The session concluded with an open and interactive dialogue, during which Minister Ahsan Iqbal invited suggestions from the business community to inform policymaking and strengthen Pakistan-UAE economic ties.
Sohail Majeed
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
