Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, has said that Pakistan stands at a defining moment in its development journey where policy continuity, investment in human capital, evidence-based planning and positive societal transformation are indispensable for achieving sustainable and inclusive growth. He emphasized that Pakistan's young population can become the country's greatest economic strength if equipped with quality education, modern skills, healthcare and dignified employment opportunities; otherwise, the same demographic advantage could become a source of economic and social strain.
The Minister expressed these views while addressing the Strategic Dialogue and Launch of Development Advocate Pakistan: "A Nation at a Turning Point. " The event was attended by representatives of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the National Institute of Population Studies, members of Parliament, development partners, policy experts and senior government officials.
The Minister described the launch of the 50th issue of Development Advocate Pakistan , together with its ten-year compendium, as an important national milestone. He said the national and provincial population projections provide a strong evidence base for future development planning and informed policymaking.
Highlighting one of Pakistan's longstanding governance challenges, Ahsan Iqbal said the country's development trajectory has repeatedly suffered due to the lack of policy continuity. He noted that major national development initiatives require at least 10 to 15 years of consistent implementation to produce meaningful results. However, successive changes in governments have often resulted in the replacement of policy frameworks and national priorities, preventing initiatives such as Vision 2020 and Vision 2025 from achieving their intended outcomes. He stressed that even the most well-conceived policies cannot succeed without sustained implementation and institutional continuity.
The Minister emphasized that policymaking must be anchored in credible data rather than aspirations. Referring to the Seventh Digital Population and Housing Census, he said Pakistan's population has surpassed 241.5 million and is now estimated to be approaching 260 million. If current demographic trends continue, the country's population is projected to reach between 372 and 390 million by 2050. He noted that nearly 67 percent of Pakistan's population is under the age of 30, making the country's youth its greatest national asset.
He observed that demographics do not determine destiny; sound public policy does. Pakistan, he said, is currently passing through a critical demographic dividend window, with its working-age population expected to expand significantly in the coming decades. To capitalize on this opportunity, the country must invest in quality education, technical and vocational training, digital skills and employment generation. He expressed concern that millions of children remain out of school, while a large proportion of young people, particularly women, continue to remain outside education, employment and skills training, preventing Pakistan from fully utilizing its human capital.
Ahsan Iqbal stated that Pakistan's greatest challenge lies in its weak socio-economic structure, adding that sustainable economic progress cannot be achieved without strengthening the country's social foundations. He said the Government's URAAN Pakistan initiative has been designed to address these structural challenges through comprehensive reforms, while the Ministry's 5Es National Development Framework provides an integrated strategy centered on exports and economic growth, E-Pakistan, environmental sustainability and climate resilience, energy and infrastructure, and equity and empowerment.
The Minister said the Government is gradually shifting development priorities from conventional brick-and-mortar projects towards investment in people. Multiple initiatives are being implemented to promote youth entrepreneurship, digital and technical skills, vocational education, the enrolment of out-of-school children and women's economic empowerment, with the objective of making human capital the primary driver of national development.
Ahsan Iqbal announced that under URAAN Pakistan, one million young people will be trained as "Ambassadors of Social Change" to lead awareness campaigns in their communities on education, health, population management, sanitation and environmental protection. He stressed that investment in artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, research and modern infrastructure is essential for building Pakistan's future economy. Calling upon citizens to adopt responsible civic behavior, he pointed out that approximately 4,500 tonnes of plastic waste and garbage had recently been removed from Lahore's drainage system following heavy rains, demonstrating that infrastructure development alone cannot prevent urban flooding unless accompanied by responsible public behavior
He further emphasized that achieving a balanced population growth rate, addressing climate change and ensuring water and food security have become national priorities that require coordinated efforts by the federal and provincial governments, the private sector, academia and development partners. He also urged the media to devote greater attention to national issues such as education, health, population and human development instead of focusing predominantly on political controversies.
Highlighting the country's public health challenges, Ahsan Iqbal said that more than 10 million Pakistanis are living with Hepatitis C, placing Pakistan among the countries with the highest disease burden globally. He announced that the Federal Government has decided to make Islamabad and its adjoining areas Hepatitis-free, while similar initiatives are being extended to Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He called upon provincial governments to undertake similar efforts in their respective regions. Referring to the rising prevalence of diabetes, he stressed the importance of promoting healthier lifestyles. He also expressed concern that Pakistan and Afghanistan remain the only countries where polio has yet to be eradicated, describing attacks on polio workers as contrary to the national interest and emphasizing that public awareness and behavioral change are essential for eliminating preventable diseases.
The Minister underlined the importance of Early Childhood Development, noting that nearly 90 percent of a child's brain development takes place during the first five years of life. He said proper nutrition, healthcare and early education during this critical period form the foundation of a productive and successful society. He further observed that many social challenges, including crime and drug addiction, can often be traced back to adverse childhood experiences. He expressed concern that Pakistan's literacy rate remains around 60 percent, while nearly 40 percent of children suffer from stunting due to malnutrition, calling for urgent national attention to these challenges.
The Minister appreciated the contributions of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the National Institute of Population Studies and other development partners for providing research, technical expertise and evidence-based analysis to support effective policymaking. He said the special edition of Development Advocate Pakistan would serve as an important reference for future national planning and policymaking. He further noted that the National Population Council, established under the leadership of the Prime Minister, will play a pivotal role in advancing Pakistan's human capital development agenda through close coordination between the Federation and the provinces.
Concluding his address, Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan's future will be determined by the investments it makes today in its youth, human capital, women's empowerment, technology, education, healthcare and long-term structural reforms. He reaffirmed the Government's commitment to working with all stakeholders to transform Pakistan's demographic potential into sustainable prosperity, inclusive development and long-term economic stability.
