A leading health sciences expert has advocated for the creation of public-entrepreneurship partnerships as a sustainable mechanism to eradicate extreme poverty, suggesting a new blueprint for national development.

The proposal was put forward by Dr Asad Ali, Professor and Chair of the Department of Community Health Sciences at the Aga Khan University (AKU), during a discussion on his new book, ‘Poverty to Prosperity: A Blueprint for Change”.

According to AKU statement today, tThe session was a key event in the week-long AKU Author’s Day 2025 celebrations, providing a platform for academic discourse on pressing societal issues. During the dialogue, moderated by Professor Stephen M. Lyon, Dean of AKU”s Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Dr Ali drew upon real-world case studies from Pakistan to support his thesis.

He emphasized that the crucial factor for success is aligning government policy, commercial incentives, and the fundamental needs of local populations. Such a synergistic approach, Dr Ali argued, holds the potential to transform vulnerable communities and drive enduring, sustainable development throughout the country.