In a defining moment for Pakistan, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, the Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, representing the vision of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, stood before the global Pakistani diaspora at the University of Oxford not just as a policymaker, but as the architect of a national resurgence.
A Uraan Pakistan Conference was organized by the Oxford Pakistan Society where the Minister presented the framework and its implementation roadmap. Prof. Iqbal cemented his role as the leader rallying the nation’s most vital forces—its youth, its women, and its global diaspora—behind the single most ambitious blueprint for progress: URAAN Pakistan.
A Hero’s Journey: From Personal Dream to National Mission
Channeling the aspirations of millions, Prof. Iqbal shared a powerful testament of faith in Pakistan’s potential. “If you have a dream and are willing to work for that dream, there is no dream that you cannot fulfill in Pakistan, and I am a walking example of that,” he declared, positioning himself as living proof that determination can shape destiny. He reframed URAAN from a government plan into a patriotic crusade, asserting, “URAAN Pakistan is not a government initiative; it is the nation’s mission, rooted in shared purpose and resolve.”
Fast-Tracking a National Transformation
Prof. Iqbal detailed how, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, the government has already shifted URAAN Pakistan into a high-gear implementation phase, turning vision into immediate action. He pointed to a series of strategic victories that have created irreversible momentum:
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Strategic Global Partnerships: The recent signing of two landmark MoUs with the University of Cambridge, focused on technology transfer and higher education, was highlighted as a critical step in bridging Pakistan with global knowledge hubs.
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Economic Stabilization as a Foundation: He underscored that the successful stabilization of Pakistan’s economy has created the necessary platform for the ambitious, growth-oriented projects under URAAN.
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Reigniting Strategic Corridors: The revitalization of CPEC as ‘CPEC 2.0’ was presented as a cornerstone of this new era, focusing on industrial cooperation and high-quality development, alongside deepened engagements with other key international partners.
“History does not wait; we must move with determination to succeed in the fourth URAAN of Pakistan,” Prof. Iqbal stated, signaling a government in action, not just in deliberation.
Uniting Pakistan’s Greatest Assets: Youth, Diaspora, and Women
Prof. Iqbal issued a powerful call to the nation’s core constituencies – youth, women and the diaspora. He anointed the diaspora as Pakistan’s “most precious resource,” calling on them to be “catalysts for innovation, investment, and global bridges.” He drew direct parallels to the transformative role diasporas played in the rise of Korea, China, and Malaysia.
Pakistan’s leadership vision for URAAN explicitly places youth and people at the heart of the country’s economic transformation, with Export as the engine, ensuring they are the primary drivers and beneficiaries of the knowledge-driven, inclusive economy URAAN promises to build.
A Legacy of Equity and a Future of Pride
The ceremony was also a moment of profound reflection, as Prof. Iqbal presented the Development Leadership Award posthumously to the late Dr. Arif Naveed, linking the ethical imperative of equity with the national mission of URAAN. This act underscored that the pursuit of growth is inextricably linked with justice and empowerment for the most vulnerable.
The event culminated with the diaspora’s full-throated endorsement through panel discussions and interactions of the URAAN’s pillars: Exports, E-Pakistan, Equity & Empowerment, Environment-Food-Water Security, and Energy & Infrastructure.
Prof. Iqbal concluded with a historic charge, uniting the nation toward a common goal: “History will judge us in 2047; URAAN Pakistan ensures we celebrate a century of independence with pride and achievement. Every Pakistani has a role to play; unity and active participation are the bedrock of URAAN Pakistan’s success.”
As per the vision of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and under Prof. Iqbal’s leadership, URAAN Pakistan is now the nation’s undeniable path forward—a fast-tracked, comprehensive, and unifying mission for a transformative future.
About URAAN Pakistan:
URAAN Pakistan is the National Economic Transformation Plan, a strategic framework to propel Pakistan toward becoming a dynamic, inclusive, and globally competitive nation by 2047.