Govt taps youth as drivers of URAAN

August 22, 2025 (MLN): At the closing ceremony of the URAAN Summer Scholars Program and Young Parliamentary Development Council (YPDC) Fellowship, Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the critical role of youth in driving Pakistan’s economic transformation.

The event gathered young scholars, including overseas participants of the Mitti ki Pukaar program, along with representatives from 131 YPDC chapters nationwide.

The URAAN initiative, he said, is a roadmap for sustainable economic growth, engaging one million young people through the URAAN Youth Force to foster social entrepreneurship and align youth efforts with national goals.

Overseas participants were lauded for self-funding their involvement, reflecting deep dedication to Pakistan’s future. The minister highlighted the diversity of participants, calling it a symbol of national unity.

He urged the youth to focus on applying knowledge, noting the historic leadership of the Muslim world in science and technology and encouraging innovation inspired by Allama Iqbal’s philosophy.

He projected that value chain development could boost exports by $100 billion in the next decade.

Addressing recent climate disasters in Buner, Shangla and Swat, Iqbal stressed that climate resilience is a key pillar of the URAAN 5Es Framework and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustainable development.

He added that YPDC chapters offer platforms for dialogue, policy engagement and collective action, equipping young people with tools to lead change.

Concluding the ceremony, he told participants, “You came here as interns, but you are leaving as ambassadors of URAAN Pakistan.”

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