Ahsan Iqbal stresses importance of regional connectivity at Kazakhstan seminar

Federal Minister for Planning, Ahsan Iqbal, Tuesday emphasized the critical need for regional connectivity in the modern era during his speech at a seminar on Kazakhstan, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

He highlighted that Kazakhstan serves as the hub of Central Asia, while Pakistan is the gateway to South Asia, making both nations pivotal for trade and connectivity.

Iqbal noted that the two countries share strong diplomatic and cultural ties, and the promotion of mutual trade and investment is essential to capitalize on these relations. Despite the challenges of narrowing down multi-modal transport opportunities, he expressed optimism about Pakistan becoming part of a 3-billion-strong global market through this mutual connectivity.

The minister underscored the importance of political continuity for long-term development plans, pointing out that Pakistan's Vision 2025 was derailed by the events of 2018. He drew comparisons with countries like India, South Korea, and Malaysia, which benefited from consistent governance over a decade.

Iqbal also expressed optimism about Pakistan’s economic recovery, noting positive indicators from the Karachi Stock Exchange. He stressed that Kazakhstan offers significant opportunities for Pakistan to enhance its role in regional development and trade.