Pakistan’s creative industries hold significant untapped potential to drive economic growth, national identity, and global soft power, as highlighted during the \u201cCreative Industry Conference\u201d organized by the Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives in Islamabad. The conference, led by Federal Minister Professor Ahsan Iqbal, marked a major step under the #UraanPakistan initiative to elevate the role of creative sectors in national development.<\/p>\n
Addressing the inaugural session, Professor Ahsan Iqbal stressed that fields such as fashion, design, literature, arts, and drama have evolved beyond mere cultural activities to become powerful engines of economic progress. He asserted that integrating these sectors into national policy is now essential for Pakistan\u2019s sustainable development.<\/p>\n
Professor Iqbal drew parallels with countries like South Korea, which leveraged the \u201cK-wave,\u201d India with Bollywood, Turkey through the export of television content, and Nigeria\u2019s booming Nollywood film industry. He noted that these nations successfully transformed their cultural and creative assets into valuable export industries. Despite Pakistan\u2019s rich cultural heritage, he observed, the country has yet to effectively present its creative assets on the global stage.<\/p>\n
Emphasizing the need to diversify economic strategies, the minister stated, \u201cIf we aim to become a trillion-dollar economy by 2035, we must develop not only traditional sectors but also foster growth in creative industries.\u201d He further argued that in today\u2019s world, narratives shape perceptions more than hard facts, urging Pakistan to project its stories onto global platforms such as Netflix and Amazon.<\/p>\n
Professor Iqbal called upon the creative community to address crucial societal themes \u2014 such as population growth, educational decline, climate change, and youth empowerment \u2014 through storytelling and media. He posed the question, \u201cAre our dramas contributing to nation-building or revolving around outdated themes?\u201d He encouraged creators to inspire youth and offer narratives that present solutions to national challenges.<\/p>\n
Addressing the nation\u2019s collective mindset, Professor Iqbal highlighted a trend of excessive self-criticism and declining self-confidence within Pakistani society. He warned that persistent cynicism and the ridicule of positive initiatives could hinder the country\u2019s ability to forge a progressive and united national identity. He urged creative professionals to use their platforms to restore confidence and promote constructive national discourse.<\/p>\n
Underscoring the role of youth, Professor Iqbal reminded participants that as Pakistan approaches its 100th year of independence in 2047, it will be judged by history on how well it translated its developmental aspirations into reality. Concluding his address, he called for collaborative and outcome-driven action from all stakeholders, emphasizing that #UraanPakistan is not the dream of a single government, but a constitutional right of all 240 million Pakistanis.<\/p>\n
The conference brought together prominent figures from across Pakistan\u2019s fashion, media, film, publishing, fine arts, advertising, and digital sectors. Participants discussed current challenges and offered policy recommendations for integrating the creative economy into national planning.<\/p>\n
On this occasion, the Ministry of Planning reaffirmed its commitment to establishing strong institutional linkages with the creative industries, ensuring their permanent inclusion in the country\u2019s economic planning processes.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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