ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reform Ahsan Iqbal has emphasized the need upon partnership between federal and provincial governments in education, health and sanitation areas to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Ahsan Iqbal made these remarks while chairing a meeting of committee on Prime Minister's proposed Plan on SDGs here Monday.
The Minister pointed out that while most of the areas concerning SDGs fall in the jurisdiction of provinces and their service delivery rests with them.
"The task is so gigantic that it can't be left to provinces", he added.
Ahsan added that Prime Minister desires to develop partnership between federal and provincial governments to tackle these issues jointly.
"We don't want to repeat the mistakes of MDGs and aspire to make SDGs a success story by treating them as our national development goals", he remarked.
He called for working on war-footing basis to create a big impact in the sectors related to SDGs so that the targets can be achieved in the stipulated time frame.
Ahsan Iqbal said "We have to ensure quality education at all levels to impart best skills to our youth by improving the physical infrastructure, imparting teachers training and curriculum and examination reforms." It would bring a revolutionary change in our education system, he added.
He also called for introducing district based education and health authorities managed by top class professionals with autonomy to make visible impact
The minister said, "Quality healthcare is key for national development.
It is fundament right of every citizen that there should specialists available at every DHQ.
He felt that federal and provincial governments can partner for upgrading the health sector at tehsil and district levels.
He showed concern over the rising incidence of hepatitis and said it would be major challenge in health sector in coming four to five years.
He believed a national initiative against hepatitis is need of the hour and would be a revolutionary step in this regard.
Talking about sanitation system, the minister said growing urbanization is posing serious challenges for our cities and public engineering infrastructure urgently needs upgradation.
Treatment of waste water is of paramount importance to ensure healthy environment. The untreated water is polluting our irrigation network and can pose a serious danger to economic development in future.
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