PR No. 104

31 Overseas Young Pakistani Students from Top Universities Have Joined URAAN Overseas Summer Internship Scholars Programme

Islamabad: July 9, 2025

Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, launched the “URAAN Overseas Summer Internship Scholars Programme” in Islamabad on Wednesday. This programme, a key component of the Prime Minister’s flagship Baikhtiyar Nojawan initiative, marks a historic first: overseas Pakistani students participating in a government-led summer internship to actively contribute to national development.

Under this six-week internship, 31 high-achieving students enrolled in top international universities will be placed in core divisions of the Planning Commission, including Energy, Infrastructure, Exports, E-Pakistan, and Environment, Climate Change & Food Security. These sectors form the foundation of the 5Es framework that drives the URAAN Pakistan vision for economic revival.

The primary objective of the programme is to provide scholars with real-world, professionally enriching experiences beyond routine administrative tasks. Each intern is assigned projects aligned with their academic and career aspirations, under the guidance of experienced mentors. The programme also offers leadership exposure through interactions with senior government officials and participation in strategic policy discussions.

The initiative received an overwhelming response, with more than 2,300 applications from over 45 countries. Following a competitive selection process, 31 students from globally ranked institutions were chosen—reflecting not just academic excellence but also the deep trust that overseas Pakistanis place in the current government’s development vision.

Speaking at the launch, Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal welcomed the students as future leaders and change agents, stating that today marks not just the beginning of an internship, but the start of a journey—one that connects their roots to their responsibilities, their learning to leadership, and their passion to Pakistan’s progress. He emphasized that these scholars are not merely interns but the torchbearers of Youth ki URAAN, a movement to unlock the potential of one million young Pakistanis across the world.

The participation of overseas youth in this government programme for the first time reflects growing confidence in Pakistan’s direction. Families living abroad see this initiative as a meaningful opportunity for their children to reconnect with their homeland and contribute in a purposeful way. While speaking at the event he urged the scholars to serve as a bridge between Pakistan and the global community.

Reflecting on the economic crisis inherited by the coalition government, the Minister shared that when they assumed office in April 2022, Pakistan was on the verge of collapse. The Finance Ministry had informed that there were no funds available for the final quarter of the development budget, essentially indicating an internal default. Speculation about the country’s imminent economic default was widespread.

He credited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for demonstrating strong leadership and political courage to take difficult but essential decisions.

As a result of these bold measures, Pakistan’s economy has significantly stabilized within two years. Inflation has fallen from 38 percent to 4 percent, the stock market has surged from an index of 40,000 to over 130,000, and investor confidence has returned. Pakistan’s global financial ratings have improved, and diplomatic relations with countries like China, Turkey, GCC nations, the European Union, and the United States have been revitalized.

Minister Ahsan Iqbal walked the audience through Pakistan's development journey, which has long been hindered by political instability, policy discontinuity, and inconsistent economic reforms. He stressed that Pakistan must now build and protect such an environment if it hopes to achieve sustained economic growth. It was with this vision that the government launched URAAN Pakistan under the leadership of PM, the National Economic Revival and Transformation Roadmap. This plan aims to provide a solid foundation for long-term growth by capitalizing on Pakistan’s strengths and addressing its structural weaknesses.

At the heart of URAAN Pakistan are five strategic pillars: export-led growth; E-Pakistan, which envisions a digitally transformed economy; energy and infrastructure development; environmental sustainability; and equity, ethics, and empowerment. The Minister highlighted the need to move from $32 billion to $100 billion in exports by embracing an outward-looking, competitive economic strategy. He also underlined the shift towards a techno-economy, where artificial intelligence, biotechnology, quantum computing, and other emerging technologies will define future growth.

URAAN Young Peace and Development Corps (YPDC), a growing youth network with 131 chapters in 42 cities and over 650 youth-led initiatives, now expanding globally with chapters in top international universities. The Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that these students are the founding class of this overseas corps—the vanguard of a global youth movement.

Quoting Allama Iqbal, he reminded them:

“Tu shaheen hai, parwaz hai kaam tera

Tere saamne aasman aur bhi hain.”

(You are a falcon; soaring is your mission. Beyond you lie countless skies yet to be conquered.)

He concluded the ceremony by urging the youth to dream boldly, lead confidently, and rise with purpose—because the future of Pakistan begins with them.

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