ISLAMABAD : The Government of Pakistan has recently launched ‘Uraan Pakistan’, National Economic Transformation Plan (2024-2029). It represents a groundbreaking initiative aimed at transitioning the country from a critical juncture to a sustainable trajectory. Although many plans were formulated in the past, Uraan Pakistan, however, is an unprecedented endeavor which symbolizes Pakistan’s readiness to take flight once again. The need for collective efforts and unity is pivotal besides the necessity to embrace digital reforms and adopt emerging technologies at an accelerated pace to ensure progressive outcomes of this initiative. Pakistan has the potential to achieve substantial progress. The digital era provides wide canvass. The country is fully capable of competing with other nations and advancing rapidly. However, the risks of sporadic growth requires a sustained momentum to avoid a boom-and-bust pattern, he maintained.
- To achieve robust growth of exports, by addressing underperformance of the external sector and lack of diversification in export base, a comprehensive strategy to maximize exports across all sectors of the economy is targeted; especially in eight key sectors, including the information technology, manufacturing, agriculture, creative industries, minerals, manpower, and blue economy.
- A major focus of the program will be on human resource development, emphasizing the importance of training and equipping the workforce with high-quality skills. Key sectoral resources, such as leather sector must be revived through public-private partnerships in collaboration with industry players. Uraan Pakistan is a decisive phase in Pakistan’s economic journey, urging collective commitment to its success as envisioned by the Prime Minister. This initiative holds the potential to create a transformative legacy for future generations. Unity and determination of the government machinery is necessary to achieve the desired targets.
- The program aims to direct immediate and strategic attention to entrenched challenges, while building on the lessons learned from global success stories comprising of peace, harmony, political stability, continuity of policies, and commitment to reforms. Uraan Pakistan will serve as a unifying blueprint across all Ministries and provinces. It aims to ensure that Pakistan shares a common vision and ambition for its future, through the 5E FRAMEWORK to position Pakistan as a high-income economy by 2047, with a GDP of USD 3 trillion, involving:
Exports: achieving USD 60 Bn in yearly exports; through prioritizing IT, manufacturing, agriculture, creative industries, minerals, manpower, and blue economy.
E-Pakistan: increasing the ICT freelancing industry to USD 5 Bn, grow the number of computer science and IT graduates to 200k per year, achieve at least one Pakistani unicorn, and achieve over 100 Mn next generation mobile services subscribers.
Environmental: 50% reduction in projected greenhouse gases emissions, increasing surface water storage by 10 million-acre feet, and expanding cultivation of land by 20.3 Mn acres.
Energy: surge share of renewable power to over 10% reduce the circular debt, increase share of railways from 5% to 15% for passengers and from 8% to 25% for freight transport, and complete large mining infrastructure projects.
Equity: improve universal health coverage index by 12%, increase literacy rate by 10%, increase female labor force by 17%, and decrease youth unemployment rate by 6%.
- Uraan Pakistan plan will be implemented through a robust framework of key Performance Indicators (KPIs) developed for each sector and priority areas. These KPIs will serve as measurable benchmarks to track progress, identify gaps and ensure alignment with the plan’s objectives. A quarterly monitoring system will be established to evaluate the performance of each sector against these KPIs, enabling timely interventions and course corrections where necessary to ensure transparency, accountability and consistency, while also allowing policy makers to remain responsive to emerging challenges. Regular progress reports will be shared with the Prime Minister and citizens to foster public confidence and demonstrate the government’s commitment to delivering tangible results.
