Ahsan Iqbal Announces $3 Trillion Plan Again

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal has highlighted the crucial role young people must play in Pakistan's journey towards a $3 trillion economy by 2047. Speaking at the completion of 1,700 teams under the Bano Shaheen Program at Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad, Iqbal emphasized that young people possess the potential to transform the nation into a prosperous and industrialized society.

The initiative aims to engage young minds in development planning and incorporate their ideas into national policymaking.

Iqbal stressed that Pakistan must learn from successful countries like Vietnam, where talent and resources were harnessed effectively due to a conducive environment and sound policies. He urged the youth to focus on solving Pakistan's challenges rather than succumbing to despair, drawing inspiration from Allama Iqbal's Shaheen. The minister recalled the achievement of the Pakistan Movement in 1947, when the nation emerged independent despite limited resources, and encouraged today's youth to carry forward this legacy.

Pakistan aims to reach a significant milestone in 2047, the centennial year of independence, with the target of becoming a $3 trillion economy. The Minister identified several areas for improvement, such as educational institutions, resources, and opportunities, which must be leveraged to drive development. He highlighted the need for young people to assess socioeconomic indicators in their areas, identify challenges, and propose practical solutions, moving beyond mere analysis and into action.

Education and human development were identified as national priorities, with efforts underway to bring 25 million out-of-school children into the education system and address child malnutrition as a national emergency.

To support young people in their endeavors, Iqbal announced the launch of a scholarship program offering 5,000 scholarships for those from the poorest districts, including Balochistan and the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Laptop distribution initiatives were also mentioned to help young people access modern education and technology, bridging the gap in marginalized regions.

Iqbal cautioned about the dangers of fake news and misleading narratives in the age of artificial intelligence, big data, and social media, urging young people to promote information verification, responsible communication, and critical thinking to counter polarization and misinformation.