Ahsan Iqbal outlines 'Uraan Pakistan' plan to boost exports, digital economy

The plan seeks to overcome socio-economic challenges, unlock Pakistan’s potential, and foster sustainable growth

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Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal on Friday outlined the government’s ambitious economic initiative, "Uraan Pakistan," which aims to transform the country into a $3 trillion economy by 2047.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Iqbal emphasized that the five-year plan was designed to avoid the pitfalls of previous initiatives, such as Vision 2010 and Vision 2025, which faltered due to political instability and policy discontinuity.

The plan, which he called a “national commitment,” seeks to overcome socio-economic challenges, unlock Pakistan’s potential, and foster sustainable growth.

Ahsan stated that unlike earlier frameworks, Uraan Pakistan is insulated from political disruptions through a robust implementation mechanism and a collaborative approach involving all provinces, ministries, and sectors.

He highlighted that the initiative focuses on policy continuity, stakeholder inclusion, and measurable outcomes, ensuring that various stakeholders, including academia, industry, civil society, and international partners, are involved to guarantee inclusivity and coherence.

Ahsan also stressed that the economic plan would leverage Pakistan’s "youth dividend," with 65% of the population under the age of 30.

He pointed out that this demographic advantage, if empowered through education, skill development, and digital initiatives, would drive the country’s economic transformation.

Drawing inspiration from the successes of countries like Malaysia, Turkey, and South Korea, he stressed that empowering the youth is key to unlocking Pakistan’s full potential.

The minister also provided details on the financing strategy for Uraan Pakistan, emphasizing the role of public-private partnerships (PPP) in reducing fiscal burdens and mobilizing resources for large-scale infrastructure projects. He mentioned that the government would explore innovative financing models, including international development funds and private sector investments, while also strengthening Pakistan's tax system to improve revenue generation.

Ahsan reaffirmed the importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in the implementation of Uraan Pakistan, noting that energy and transportation projects under CPEC are being expanded to support industrial growth and improve access to key markets in Central Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

He described CPEC as a "game-changer" that integrates Pakistan into global value chains, positioning the country as a regional economic hub.

At the core of Uraan Pakistan’s strategy is the 5Es framework: Export, E-Pakistan, Environment and Climate Change, Energy and Infrastructure, and Equity, Ethics, and Empowerment.

The plan targets $60 billion in annual exports, focusing on key sectors such as IT, manufacturing, agriculture, creative industries, manpower, and minerals.

By rebranding "Made in Pakistan" as a global standard for quality, the initiative aims to stabilise the rupee, reduce reliance on imports, and drive sustained growth.

In the digital sphere, Uraan Pakistan aims to create a digitally empowered economy, with objectives like expanding the ICT freelancing industry to $5 billion, producing 200,000 IT graduates annually, and advancing artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity capabilities.

Environmental sustainability is another key priority, with measurable goals such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50%, expanding cultivable land by 20.3 million acres, and increasing water storage capacity by 10 million acre-feet.

On the energy front, the initiative will focus on transitioning to renewable energy, expanding railway freight transport, and enhancing regional connectivity for trade.

Social inclusivity is also a major component of the plan, with goals to improve literacy rates by 10%, raise female labor force participation by 17%, and reduce youth unemployment to 6%.

To ensure effective implementation and accountability, Ahsan mentioned the establishment of the National Economic Transformation Unit (NETU), which will use a results-based management system to monitor progress and track key performance indicators.

NETU will recalibrate strategies as needed and engage stakeholders throughout the process. Ahsan also highlighted the creation of the Pakistan Centennial 2047 Lab, a hub for innovation and collaboration.

He called on the private sector to invest in innovation and growth, academia to drive research and advocacy, and the media to amplify the initiative’s message. He emphasized that the success of Uraan Pakistan relies on collective efforts from all sectors of society, both domestically and internationally.