Ahsan Iqbal says Pakistan can transform like China

Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal has said that if China can transform itself, Pakistan can also change and progress, claiming that the world is now praising Pakistan.

Addressing a Defence of Pakistan seminar in Narowal, Iqbal said internally divided nations could not confront external enemies for long.

He stressed the need to equip Pakistani society with the latest technologies, saying modern wars are increasingly being fought through psychological tactics and advanced technology. He noted that alongside guns and tanks, technologies such as artificial intelligence have become an integral part of modern warfare.

Iqbal said that in 1965, military strength was largely assessed through conventional means, whereas the battlefield today has expanded significantly with the emergence of new technologies and methods of warfare.

He claimed that on May 6, 2025, the enemy attacked Pakistan under the cover of darkness, but Pakistan’s response dealt a major blow to India.

The federal minister further said Pakistan had witnessed advanced enemy aircraft being brought down with the help of modern technology. He claimed that India realised in 2025 that it could never win a war against Pakistan.

Iqbal alleged that Indian leadership was talking about launching “Sindoor 2”, describing it as the beginning of unconventional warfare against Pakistan. He linked the development to an increase in terrorism in 2026.

“Today, the world is singing Pakistan’s praises,” Iqbal said, adding that if China could transform itself, Pakistan could do the same.

Paying tribute to the martyrs of the country, the federal minister said the day was illuminated by their sacrifices and saluted those who had laid down their lives for Pakistan.

He said the entire nation stood with the families of the martyrs, stressing that the country owed a debt to its fallen heroes.

“A martyr does not sacrifice his life alone; his children and family also make sacrifices,” Iqbal said.