Pakistan’s creative industries can power economic growth and create a positive national identity, said Federal Minister for Planning and Development, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, at the “Creative Industries Conference” held in Islamabad. The event, organized under the Uraan Pakistan initiative, brought together leading figures from the fields of fashion, media, film, publishing, fine arts, advertising, and digital sectors to discuss the role of creativity in national development.
Highlighting the global potential of creative industries, Professor Iqbal noted that this sector now comprises a $2.5 trillion global economy, employing 30–40 million people worldwide. He emphasized that creative fields are not merely about the arts; they are powerful tools for shaping national identity, enhancing ‘soft power,’ and expanding exports.
Referring to international examples such as South Korea’s K-wave, India’s Bollywood, Turkey’s TV exports, and Nigeria’s Nollywood, the minister explained that countries have successfully transformed their cultural assets into export industries. He expressed concern that Pakistan, despite its rich cultural heritage, has not yet fully showcased its creative assets on the global stage.
“We cannot rely only on traditional paths to achieve the target of a trillion-dollar economy by 2035. Creative industries must also be developed,” Professor Iqbal asserted. He highlighted the power of storytelling in influencing global perceptions and urged Pakistani storytellers to bring local narratives to platforms such as Netflix and Amazon.
Professor Iqbal called on the creative community to address critical issues — including population growth, educational standards, climate change, and youth empowerment — through compelling stories. “Are our dramas contributing to nation-building or revolving around repetitive themes? We must inspire our youth to dream and provide narratives that offer solutions,” he remarked.
Discussing national psychology, the minister noted that Pakistani society suffers from excessive self-criticism, leading to declining collective confidence and widespread pessimism. “If we mock every good initiative, we will never build a progressive, positive national identity,” he cautioned, urging creators to use positive, meaningful expression to restore national confidence.
Championing the role of youth, Professor Iqbal reminded the audience that as Pakistan approaches its centenary in 2047, the country must turn developmental dreams into reality. He concluded by encouraging all stakeholders to take practical steps toward this vision, emphasizing that Uraan Pakistan is not just a government dream, but a constitutional right of all 240 million Pakistanis.
The conference participants discussed prevailing challenges and offered policy recommendations to integrate the creative economy into national development strategies. The Planning Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to establishing institutional partnerships with creative industries and making them a permanent part of national economic planning.
