Orlando: Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has urged overseas Pakistanis to become active partners in Pakistan's journey towards sustainable development and economic transformation. He was addressing the 49th Annual Convention of the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (APPNA) in Orlando, Florida.
According to Radio Pakistan, the Minister emphasized that Pakistan's future relies on investments in education, healthcare, population management, innovation, and technology, along with strengthening partnerships with overseas Pakistani professionals. Inviting overseas Pakistani physicians to contribute their expertise, he proposed an innovative Telemedicine Backup Model. This model would establish a panel of ten US-based medical specialists for each of Pakistan's sixty districts, offering backend clinical support to junior doctors in remote areas. This initiative aims to enhance knowledge transfer, improve healthcare delivery, and expand access to specialist medical care through modern digital technologies.
Highlighting the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence, Iqbal called upon overseas Pakistani doctors to assist in developing AI-driven healthcare solutions, digital health platforms, and technology-based medical innovations to modernize Pakistan's healthcare system. He also addressed Pakistan's major human development challenges, including Hepatitis C, diabetes, tuberculosis, polio, rapid population growth, and child stunting, stressing the need for coordinated national efforts supported by global expertise and innovation.
During an interactive question-and-answer session, the Minister underscored the importance of responsible democratic discourse. He noted that while peaceful political expression is a constitutional right, political differences should not undermine state institutions or Pakistan's international image. Iqbal urged Pakistanis to express differences responsibly while safeguarding national sovereignty and the country's global reputation.
He also highlighted emerging opportunities in artificial intelligence, digital technologies, renewable energy, and climate resilience. Emphasizing that Pakistan's diaspora possesses the expertise, global networks, and entrepreneurial capacity required, Iqbal encouraged them to help accelerate Pakistan's transformation into a competitive, innovation-driven, and sustainable economy.
