Ahsan Iqbal Pushes for Unified Engineering Body to Modernize Pakistan’s Development Sector

In a strategic move to bridge Pakistan’s engineering potential with national development needs, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has proposed the formation of a new umbrella organization called the National Engineering and Technology Federation (NETF). The federation, as envisioned by Iqbal, would centralize coordination among engineers, technologists, educational institutions, and policymakers to modernize Pakistan’s infrastructure and strengthen homegrown innovation.

Unveiling the idea during a high-level policy forum in Islamabad this week, Iqbal stressed the urgent need to consolidate technical expertise across sectors. “Pakistan cannot progress in the 21st century with a fragmented engineering landscape,” he said. “We must build a national platform that not only unites our brightest minds but also drives forward-thinking solutions for our infrastructure, industry, and education sectors.”

The proposed NETF would act as an independent advisory and collaborative forum, linking government departments with engineering professionals and academia to address bottlenecks in national development. Key areas of focus would include infrastructure modernization, renewable energy, public transport, manufacturing innovation, and high-end vocational training.

Iqbal added that the federation would work closely with the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC), the Higher Education Commission (HEC), and provincial technical boards to align technical training with market needs and to elevate the role of engineers in public policy design. It is also expected to provide input on the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP), ensuring that engineering-led insights inform project execution from planning to completion.

Supporters of the plan argue that this could help curb Pakistan’s reliance on foreign technical consultants and retain local talent, much of which is currently lost to brain drain. “This is a long-overdue initiative,” said Engr. Samina Tariq, a Lahore-based civil engineer. “Our country has never lacked talent—what’s missing is a platform to coordinate and mobilize it strategically.”

However, critics caution that unless the federation is granted clear legal authority, a transparent structure, and measurable goals, it risks becoming another dormant institution. To avoid this, stakeholders are calling for a defined roadmap, inclusive leadership, and integration with Pakistan’s broader industrial policy.

If successfully launched, the NETF could offer Pakistan a chance to reassert control over its development trajectory—through its own engineers, scientists, and innovators—rather than outsourcing expertise at the cost of national growth.