Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, has said that the Government of Pakistan is fully committed to building a strong, inclusive, and knowledge-driven economy by the year 2047 — when the country will celebrate 100 years of independence. Speaking at a high-level Development Partners Workshop in Islamabad, the Minister shared this long-term vision and called on international development partners and financial institutions to continue their support for Pakistan’s reform and growth agenda.
Speaking to the participants, Minister Ahsan Iqbal highlighted that Pakistan stands at a defining moment in its development journey. Despite facing multiple challenges — including fiscal constraints, climate vulnerabilities, and human development deficits — the country holds immense promise, primarily due to its youthful and dynamic population, of which over 65% is under the age of 30. The government, he said, is determined to unlock this potential through a clear roadmap that ensures inclusive growth, empowers citizens, and brings every region into the fold of national progress.
The Minister presented the government’s flagship economic transformation plan titled “Uraan Pakistan,” which aims to position the country among the top economies of the region. The plan sets an ambitious target of growing the national economy from the current $375 billion to $1 trillion by 2035 and $3 trillion by 2047. He explained that this transformation is being guided by a homegrown development model known as the “5Es Framework” — which focuses on five strategic pillars: Exports, E-Pakistan (digital governance), Equity and Empowerment, Environment and Climate Resilience, and Energy.
Minister Iqbal elaborated that increasing exports remains central to Pakistan’s growth ambitions. The government is working to diversify export sectors beyond traditional textiles, exploring opportunities in IT, pharmaceuticals, food processing, creative industries, and the blue economy. With enhanced regional connectivity and the development of Special Economic Zones under CPEC, Pakistan aims to integrate more deeply into global markets.
He further shared that the government has launched the “Digital Pakistan” initiative, which seeks to digitize public services, expand broadband access, promote digital literacy, and nurture youth-led entrepreneurship. Pakistan’s IT exports have already crossed the $2.5 billion mark, with immense potential for further expansion. He invited international partners to invest in building digital infrastructure, human capital, and cyber resilience to support Pakistan’s transition into a digital economy.
The minister emphasized that development must center around people. Therefore, the government is scaling up investments in education, health, nutrition, and skills training — especially in underdeveloped areas like Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He reaffirmed that the government will not leave any citizen or region behind in the journey towards progress. In this regard, he announced the declaration of a national education emergency, citing the need to bring over 23 million out-of-school children into the mainstream education system. “No country can compete in the 21st century with such a large portion of its population left uneducated,” he remarked, calling on development partners to work with Pakistan in finding bold and innovative solutions.
The minister also underscored the importance of climate resilience and renewable energy in ensuring long-term sustainability. As one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, Pakistan is prioritizing green infrastructure, clean energy, and environmental protection as part of its growth strategy. At the same time, reforms in the energy sector are being accelerated to ensure affordability, reliability, and diversification of energy sources.
Concluding his remarks, Professor Ahsan Iqbal expressed his deep appreciation for the support extended by development partners during Pakistan’s most challenging times — from natural disasters to public health crises. He called for even stronger partnerships going forward, built on mutual trust, shared goals, and collective action. “Together, we can turn Pakistan’s potential into lasting progress,” he said. “This is not just about economic numbers; it’s about building a better future for our children — a future of hope, opportunity, and dignity for every Pakistani.”
The Development Partners Workshop served not just as a forum for sharing ideas, but as a reaffirmation of Pakistan’s intent to transform its economic landscape in collaboration with its international partners. The government’s message was clear: Pakistan is on the move, and the journey ahead demands unity, resilience, and innovation.
