Pakistan eyes $1tr economy with overseas community backing URAAN initiative

July 10, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan's push to build a technology-driven economy received renewed support from the overseas Pakistani community in the United States, with expatriates pledging to promote investment, innovation, and knowledge exchange under the government's URAAN Pakistan initiative.

Speaking at a ceremony hosted for the Pakistani community during his visit to Northern California, Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal urged overseas Pakistanis to place "Pakistan First" above political differences and unite under a shared national identity to help accelerate the country's economic transformation.

He said Pakistan's long-term prosperity depends on achieving economic self-reliance through export-led growth, technological innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment in human capital, according to Radio Pakistan.

The minister said the government's URAAN Pakistan initiative aims to transform the country into a knowledge-based, technology-driven and sustainable economy, with a target of becoming a $1 trillion economy by 2035 while increasing exports to more than $100 billion.

He encouraged overseas Pakistanis to act as ambassadors for Pakistani products by facilitating investment, technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and stronger international business partnerships.

He noted that the United States remains Pakistan's largest export destination, making the Pakistani-American community a key link in expanding bilateral trade and investment.

Highlighting digital transformation as a national priority, Ahsan Iqbal described artificial intelligence as a historic opportunity for Pakistan.

He said the government is establishing National Centres of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Big Data, Robotics, Genomics, and Quantum Computing to equip the country for the next wave of technological advancement.

He also highlighted progress under the US-Pakistan Knowledge Corridor initiative, which seeks to develop globally competitive human capital through collaborations with leading international universities.

During his visit to Northern California, the minister also held discussions on artificial intelligence and emerging technologies with Silicon Valley professionals and attended a reception hosted by members of the Pakistani-American community.

The community reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Pakistan's economic transformation through investment, technology collaboration, and knowledge sharing, while endorsing the government's "Pakistan First" vision under the URAAN Pakistan initiative.

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