The Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives has officially opened applications for its URAAN Summer Scholars Program, an ambitious six-week immersive initiative under the banner of the #MittiKiPukaar campaign. Designed specifically for overseas Pakistani students enrolled in top global universities, the program calls on the country’s brightest minds abroad to return home temporarily and contribute to Pakistan’s ongoing development and reform journey.
Positioned as a flagship initiative, the URAAN Summer Scholars Program aims to harness the academic expertise and international exposure of the diaspora youth, aligning their potential with the objectives of the National Economic Transformation Plan 2024–2029. Through a series of structured engagements and on-ground exposure, selected scholars will collaborate closely with Young Development Fellows (YDFs) and Youth Planning and Development Commission (YPDC) chapters across the country. This hands-on opportunity offers students a rare look into Pakistan’s evolving governance structures, strategic economic policies, and developmental priorities.
Participants of the program will work within the framework of the government’s 5Es agenda, which focuses on Export-led growth, Energy, E-Pakistan, Environment and Equity & Empowerment. Scholars will gain practical experience in key areas of public policy and governance while developing a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities shaping Pakistan’s development landscape.
The internship experience promises access to high-impact projects, interactions with policymakers, and the ability to make meaningful contributions to ongoing initiatives. Beyond technical learning, the URAAN platform encourages young overseas Pakistanis to build valuable networks within public sector institutions and grassroots development communities. The program emphasizes mutual learning—offering returning students a chance to better understand their homeland while equipping local institutions with global perspectives.
This call to action taps into a growing sentiment among diaspora youth eager to make a difference in Pakistan’s future. With a fast-approaching application deadline of June 15, 2025, eligible students are encouraged to apply through the official program portal. The campaign has been widely promoted across digital platforms under hashtags like #URAANPakistan and #MittiKiPukaar, urging students to “rise with URAAN” and answer the call of their homeland.
By bridging global talent with local development, URAAN embodies a future-facing approach to national transformation, built on youth engagement, cross-border collaboration, and civic responsibility. Interested applicants can apply directly at https://lnkd.in/d_95xk6P.
