Ahsan Iqbal Calls Peace the Engine of Pakistan’s Development at Peace & Development Unit Launch

Independent Report

Islamabad — Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal said that Pakistan must build a “motorway of peace” to achieve fast, inclusive and sustainable growth, stressing that peace remains the master key to national development. He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Peace and Development Unit on Thursday.

Ahsan Iqbal said Islam is a religion of harmony, compassion and tolerance, and warned that young minds must be protected from the “virus of extremism and hatred.” He said extremism has political, economic, social, religious, linguistic and regional dimensions, and durable solutions can only emerge by understanding its root causes.

He emphasized that dialogue, patience and the willingness to listen are essential for creating national consensus and social cohesion. Pakistan, he added, must learn from successful global practices and adopt a smarter, more effective national strategy.

Highlighting the government’s youth initiative, he said “Uraan Pakistan” provides young people with a roadmap of tolerance, leadership and positive engagement.
The minister reiterated that peace, social unity and economic progress are the real keys to Pakistan’s golden future. “We are linking development projects with peace promotion,” he said, adding that regional disparities diminish when communities receive equal development opportunities.