Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal urged the media to strengthen public accountability and focus on key challenges affecting Pakistan’s development and economic growth.

Addressing a “Media Dialogue on Effective Development Communication” at the Planning Ministry on November 6, Iqbal said the media should highlight issues such as low literacy rates, population growth, early childhood development, limited access to higher education, weak exports and misuse of public development funds, which he said were often overshadowed by political controversies.

He urged journalists to independently monitor development projects and assess their actual outcomes rather than focusing solely on inauguration ceremonies. He also called for greater media attention to preventive healthcare, tobacco use, passive smoking and food adulteration, stressing the need for public debate and participation in addressing the country’s development challenges.