NAROWAL: Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal on Wednesday called for national unity, investment in education, and youth empowerment to steer Pakistan toward sustainable development, while addressing the closing session of the International Narowal Peace Dialogue 2026.
Stressing the concept of Bunyanun Marsoos, he said nations succeed through cohesion, resilience, and collective purpose. He noted that Pakistan’s past successes were rooted in unity and stressed that the same spirit is essential to overcome current economic and social challenges. Highlighting Pakistan’s diplomatic stance, the minister said the country continues to advocate dialogue, restraint, and peaceful engagement amid rising global tensions, positioning itself as a constructive force for regional and international stability. He described the peace dialogue as a significant platform to promote tolerance, mutual respect, and interfaith harmony, particularly among youth. He urged young people to reject discrimination based on religion, ethnicity, or language, and to act as ambassadors of peace and positive change.
Underscoring the role of education, Ahsan Iqbal said progress depends on knowledge, research, and innovation, warning that the Muslim world lagged behind when it distanced itself from these foundations. He stressed that empowering youth through education and character-building is key to national transformation. The minister reiterated the government’s vision to transform Pakistan into a developed nation by 2047, urging students to actively engage in academic and co-curricular activities to build leadership skills. Former Moroccan prime minister Saadeddine Othmani also addressed the event, praising the initiative for fostering dialogue, tolerance, and global understanding. The conference concluded with a declaration reaffirming commitment to peace, pluralism, and non-discrimination, while promoting dialogue as a means to resolve differences and strengthen societal harmony.
