PM Shehbaz urges overseas scholars to build Pakistan

July 21, 2026 (MLN): Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif encouraged participants of the URAAN Overseas Pakistan Summer Scholars Program to use their education, research, and international exposure to contribute to Pakistan’s development and prosperity.

The prime minister met the scholars, who are currently participating in a six-week internship organized by the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives. The program focuses on research into key issues facing Pakistan.

Welcoming Pakistani students studying at leading universities around the world, the prime minister invited them to pursue internship opportunities in Pakistan.

He emphasized that the country's youth play a vital role in national development and continue to bring recognition to Pakistan globally, according to ministry of information and broadcasting.

During the interaction, PM Shehbaz briefed the scholars on the government's reform agenda and answered their questions. He said Pakistan had achieved economic stability through emergency reforms at a time when the country was on the verge of default.

He said the reform program includes the digitization of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), measures to increase revenue collection, improve the ease of doing business, enhance productivity, develop the agriculture sector, empower youth, promote renewable energy, and support sustainable economic development.

The prime minister said effective enforcement measures enabled the FBR to collect more than Rs800bn in additional revenue during the last fiscal year. He added that the government's economic reforms are aimed at building a strong, self-sufficient, and export-oriented economy.

PM Shehbaz also paid tribute to Field Marshal Asim Munir for his leadership and support of the nation during the May 2025 conflict with India.

He said Pakistan's role in mediating efforts to stop the ongoing war between the United States and Iran marked a significant chapter in the country's diplomatic history.

He further said Pakistan's diplomatic efforts led to the signing of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (Islamabad MoU), describing it as an important step toward world peace.

During the meeting, the students shared their views on improvements in various sectors.

The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Attaullah Tarar, Ali Pervez Malik, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, Minister of State for National Education and Professional Training Wajiha Qamar, and senior officials from relevant institutions.

Copyright Mettis Link News