ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, has instructed all ministries to align their objectives with the "Uraan Pakistan" initiative and designate senior focal persons to ensure consistent coordination and progress.

During a consultative meeting on the Uraan Pakistan Action Plan, Iqbal emphasized the importance of sustainable development and economic growth as the primary goals of the initiative. He directed ministries to identify three key factors that would contribute to stabilizing the economy and to engage relevant stakeholders through strategic efforts. He also proposed organizing workshops to strengthen collaboration with provincial governments. Iqbal underlined the significance of transitioning to an export-led growth model, stressing that the country's current export level of $40 billion is inadequate. He proposed a target of increasing exports to $100 billion. He noted that the majority of the country's exports consist of low-value textile products and emphasized the need for a complete overhaul of the export sector. Acknowledging the recent growth in IT exports, Iqbal highlighted the government's plan to boost IT exports from $3 billion to $10 billion by 2029. He also stressed the importance of equipping Pakistan's youth with the necessary training, skills, and opportunities to harness the potential of the country's demographic advantage. Iqbal also addressed the critical issue of out-of-school children, stating that the 2.5 million children currently outside the education system must be reintegrated into schools. This, he stated, is essential for unlocking the potential of Pakistan's young population and driving long-term economic growth.