ISLAMABAD — Addressing the nation on the momentous occasion of Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day and the 150th birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal Chaudhary delivered an inspiring message targeted at the country’s youth.
The Minister stressed that Allama Iqbal’s metaphor of the “Shaheen” (Falcon) is a blueprint for a young generation that is ambitious, self-reliant, resilient, principled, inquisitive, and relentlessly committed to excellence.
Moving Beyond Despair Towards Reform and Unity
Reflecting on the country’s journey, Minister Ahsan Iqbal urged young Pakistanis to reject narratives of pessimism and cynicism.
Key Takeaways from the Address:
- Constructive Action over Complaints: The Minister called on youth to swap complaints and cynicism with self-belief, hard work, integrity, and innovation.
- Institutional Reform: Stressing the importance of political and economic stability, he highlighted that national challenges cannot be overcome by dismantling institutions, but rather by reforming and strengthening them from within.
- Empowering the Future: Pakistan’s trajectory towards socio-economic development relies entirely on the talent, character, character, and resolve of its youth.
‘URAAN Pakistan’: A $1 Trillion Economic Transformation
Highlighting the government’s roadmap, Prof. Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that the URAAN Pakistan initiative embodies this transformative vision. The comprehensive framework aims to elevate Pakistan into a US$1 trillion economy by capitalizing on key growth sectors:
- Export-Led Growth & Digital Economy: Expanding global market reach and boosting digital transformation.
- Artificial Intelligence & Advanced Technology: Investing heavily in tech-driven innovation and research.
- Skilled Human Capital: Equipping youth with modern skills to drive sustainable development.
A Call to Action for the Nation
Concluding his message, the Federal Minister invoked Allama Iqbal’s iconic verse:
“Sitaron se aage jahan aur bhi hain…” > (There are worlds beyond the stars yet to be explored…)
“On this Independence Day, let us renew our commitment to becoming Iqbal’s Shaheen by embracing hope, unity, knowledge, and national development. Together, we can transform the vision of URAAN Pakistan into reality,” the Minister stated.
