Ahsan Iqbal on Pakistan's Economy, AI Strategy, and Ties With U.S. & China | Asia Inside Out

NEW YORK, July 13, 2026 — On this episode of Asia Inside Out, Farwa Aamer, Director of South Asia Initiatives at the Asia Society Policy Institute, sits down with H.E. Professor Ahsan Iqbal, Pakistan's Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, to discuss Pakistan's economic transformation and evolving role in regional and global affairs. The conversation explores U.S.-Pakistan relations, critical minerals, Pakistan's strategy for balancing ties with both the United States and China, CPEC 2.0, artificial intelligence, technology sovereignty, climate resilience, water security, renewable energy, electric vehicles, and the future of regional cooperation in South Asia. Minister Iqbal also discusses Pakistan's AI ecosystem, education reforms, investment priorities, and his vision for economic growth through innovation, connectivity, and geoeconomics. Asia Inside Out brings together our team and special guests to take you beyond the latest policy headlines and provide an insider's view on regional and global affairs. Each episode features informed experts, analysts, and decision-makers from across the Asia-Pacific region, offering deeper insight into how policy is made—and where it's headed. This podcast is produced by the Asia Society Policy Institute, a "think-and-do tank" working at the cutting edge of global policy by turning expert analysis into practical recommendations for policymakers. Subscribe to our podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2205547/follow --- Subscribe for more videos like this: http://AsiaSociety.org/YouTube --- Support Asia Society today: http://AsiaSociety.org/Donate --- Subscribe to our newsletter to stay connected: https://asiasociety.org/email-subscriptions --- Facebook: http://facebook.com/AsiaSociety Instagram: http://instagram.com/AsiaSociety Twitter: http://twitter.com/AsiaSociety LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/asia-society/ #Pakistan #SouthAsia #ArtificialIntelligence #asiainsideout #asiasocietypolicyinstitute 00:00 – Podcast Introduction 00:38 – Speakers' Introductions 01:38 – Discussion