The federal government on Friday unveiled its ambitious economic roadmap, “Uraan Pakistan,” with the goal of transforming the country into a $3 trillion economy by 2047. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal announced the initiative at a press conference in Islamabad, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of the plan to foster sustainable growth and address socio-economic challenges. The minister described the initiative as a “national commitment,” highlighting its design to overcome obstacles that had derailed earlier frameworks like Vision 2010 and Vision 2025 due to political instability and lack of policy continuity.
Ahsan Iqbal stressed that Uraan Pakistan is structured to withstand political disruptions, supported by a robust implementation framework involving collaboration with provinces, ministries, academia, industry, civil society, and international partners. He underscored the importance of inclusivity and coherence in ensuring the plan’s success, describing it as a collective national effort. The initiative focuses on leveraging Pakistan’s youth dividend, with 65 percent of the population under the age of 30. The minister noted that empowering this demographic through education, skill development, and digital innovation would be instrumental in driving the country’s economic transformation. Drawing inspiration from countries like Malaysia, Turkey, and South Korea, he emphasized the critical role of the youth in unlocking Pakistan’s full potential.
The financing strategy for Uraan Pakistan revolves around public-private partnerships, aiming to reduce fiscal pressure while mobilizing resources for large-scale infrastructure projects. The government also plans to explore innovative financing models, strengthen the tax system, and tap into international development funds and private sector investments. Ahsan Iqbal highlighted the importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the plan, describing it as a “game-changer” that integrates Pakistan into global value chains while positioning the country as a regional economic hub. He noted that CPEC’s energy and transportation projects are being expanded to support industrial growth and improve access to key markets in Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
At the core of Uraan Pakistan is a strategic focus on key economic areas, including export growth, digital transformation, environmental sustainability, renewable energy, and social inclusivity. The plan aims to increase annual exports to $60 billion by focusing on sectors such as IT, manufacturing, agriculture, and minerals while rebranding “Made in Pakistan” as a global standard for quality. In the digital sphere, the initiative seeks to expand the ICT freelancing industry to $5 billion, produce 200,000 IT graduates annually, and advance artificial intelligence and cybersecurity capabilities. Environmental sustainability is another major priority, with goals like reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent, expanding cultivable land, and increasing water storage capacity.
The plan also emphasizes transitioning to renewable energy, enhancing regional connectivity for trade, and promoting equity and empowerment through literacy improvement, increased female labor force participation, and reduced youth unemployment. To ensure accountability and measurable progress, the government will establish the National Economic Transformation Unit, which will monitor performance through a results-based management system and recalibrate strategies as needed. The Pakistan Centennial 2047 Lab will serve as an innovation hub to drive research, advocacy, and collaboration among stakeholders.
Calling on the private sector to invest in innovation, academia to drive research, and the media to amplify the initiative’s objectives, Ahsan Iqbal highlighted the importance of collective action in achieving Uraan Pakistan’s goals. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to creating a sustainable, inclusive, and prosperous future, urging all sectors of society to contribute to the success of this transformative economic plan.
