Uraan Pakistan plan to generate $5bn from freelancing, gig economy

January 03, 2025 (MLN): The "Uraan Pakistan" 13th Five-Year Plan (2024-2029) aims to generate $5 billion in revenue through freelancing and the gig economy.

The plan sets a target of $10bn for the export of Information and communication technology (ICT) and high-technology products and services.

This plan was launched by the Ministry of Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, focusing on the 5E Framework, which includes Exports, E-Pakistan, Energy, Environment, and Equity.

The objective of "Uraan Pakistan" is to restore macroeconomic stability and ensure long-term sustainability.

This plan requires a total investment of Rs1.2 trillion, which includes Rs461bn for Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K), Rs440bn for the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), and Rs381bn for Gilgit-Baltistan (GB).

"Uraan Pakistan" plan aims to address economic challenges, including external sector solvency, bridging employment and skill gaps amid fourth industrial revolution technologies, and poverty alleviation.

The plan also focuses on certifying 50,000 high-quality graduates in 4IR (Fourth Industrial Revolution) skills and increasing the workforce by producing 50,000 graduates annually from universities.

This will enable the creation of more than 10,000 start-ups each year.

“The 13th Five Year Plan envisions the transformative changes that will lead us to the milestone of a billion-dollar economy by 2025”, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said.

AJ&K, GB, and the seven merged districts of KP face challenges of limited infrastructure, poor socio-economic indicators, and higher poverty levels.

The 13th Five-Year Plan (2024-2029) aims to align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by fostering sustainable development and ensuring impactful national progress.

The plan also focuses on enhancing regional connectivity and resilience through key infrastructure projects.

“This ambitious roadmap is designed to lay the foundation for a strong, sustained, and high-growth modern $3tr techno-economy by 2047”, Ahsan Iqbal, Minister of Planning Development and Special Initiatives added while launching the “Uraan Pakistan” plan.

Major road developments, including the 26.6-kilometer Mansehra-Muzaffarabad expressway and the 175km Muzaffarabad-Mirpur-Mangla Kashmir Highway, will improve connectivity.

Additionally, hydropower projects such as Nagdar (35 MW), Dowarian (40 MW), and Shagarthang (20 MW) will contribute to energy generation in the region.

A 190 km Tourism Development Corridor and 26 mini dams will boost local economies.

Skills development programs in tourism, handicrafts, and minerals will be complemented by TEVTA upgrades.

In GB, 180 MW hydropower projects and fiber optic broadband expansion will support sustainable growth.

Sewerage and water supply projects will improve sanitation.

In KP, road projects and the establishment of schools, training institutes, and industrial estates will foster development.

Agriculture projects will focus on olive and saffron cultivation.

The objective is to improve local government services and promote inclusive education and healthcare.

Additionally, this plan aims to enhance employment opportunities through sustainable industrialization and encourage responsible tourism.

The initiative also targets affordable energy, gender equality, poverty reduction, climate change resilience, and environmental protection.

These goals are pursued through community-based strategies and public-private partnerships.

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