**Pakistan and World Economic Forum Agree to Enhance Cooperation for Knowledge Economy and Inclusive Development**
Pakistan and the World Economic Forum (WEF) have agreed to strengthen cooperation in advancing a knowledge-based economy and promoting inclusive development. The consensus emerged during a meeting between WEF Managing Director and Board Member Saadia Zahidi and Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary.
During the discussions, Minister Iqbal briefed the WEF delegation on the government’s ongoing reform agenda, emphasizing the “5Es” framework, which focuses on exports, digital transformation, environment, energy, and equality. He highlighted the government’s strategic shift from an import-substitution model to a growth trajectory driven by innovation, aiming to position Pakistan for long-term economic progress.
Minister Iqbal also outlined forward-looking initiatives, including the establishment of national centers for nanotechnology and quantum computing. These initiatives, he noted, are designed to bolster Pakistan’s capacity for research, innovation, and technological advancement, further anchoring the transition to a knowledge economy.
Both parties agreed on the importance of fostering institutional-level knowledge exchanges. They also pledged to enhance collaboration in youth empowerment, innovation, and sustainable development, recognizing these areas as critical for Pakistan’s future competitiveness in the global economy.
