Independent Report
Federal Minister for Planning and Development Professor Ahsan Iqbal on February 3 emphasized the need to replace negative narratives about Pakistan with fact-based discourse to strengthen investor confidence and national credibility. Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Pakistan Transparency and Accountability Index, he said sustainable economic growth depends on realism, transparency, and confidence rather than politically driven pessimism.
The minister warned that repeated negative messaging for short-term political gains has undermined the country’s collective self-belief. He noted that no country in the world is entirely free from corruption, stressing that the real difference lies in how nations manage perception, accountability, and response. Pakistan, he said, is a normal country facing challenges but possessing vast human capital, skills, and economic potential.
Referring to international assessments, Ahsan Iqbal pointed out that global institutions including the IMF, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Fitch, Moody’s, and the Financial Times have acknowledged Pakistan’s recent economic stabilization and improvement. However, he regretted that domestic discourse often contradicts these assessments, discouraging foreign investment, increasing business costs, and weakening exports.
“Countries sell their brand before their products,” he said, explaining that global trust in quality begins with trust in the country of origin. He cautioned that exaggerating flaws while ignoring progress has already caused losses in sectors such as aviation and diverted billions of rupees in potential investment abroad.
Commending the FPCCI initiative, the minister urged the business community to focus on building brands, strengthening value chains, and transforming districts into export hubs. Highlighting Pakistan’s cultural and geographic diversity—from Gwadar’s local products to Thar’s handicrafts—he called it the country’s true strength.
He concluded by urging entrepreneurs to adopt an “Arshad Nadeem mindset” of excellence, consistency, and competitiveness, stating that nation-building begins with restoring confidence at home and internationally.
