Pakistan's Youth Urged to Drive National Development

Pakistan's future development hinges on active youth participation, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal said at a ceremony in Islamabad, the Press Information Department (PID) reported Wednesday.

The Bano Shaheen Programme, initiated by the Ministry of Planning, aims to engage young people in development planning and policymaking, with chapters established in over 165 universities nationwide.

Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that the programme seeks to develop confident and action-oriented individuals who can address Pakistan's challenges and drive progress, inspired by Allama Iqbal's vision of a forward-thinking and solution-focused youth.

The minister highlighted the need for Pakistan to accelerate its development pace, citing the country's goal of becoming a $3 trillion economy by 2047, and stressed that youth must play a central role in achieving this objective.

Ahsan Iqbal also underscored the importance of education and human development, announcing initiatives such as scholarships and laptop distributions to empower young people, especially from marginalized regions.

He warned about the risks of misinformation and urged young people to promote critical thinking and responsible communication to protect society from polarization.

The Federal Minister encouraged youth to adopt a spirit of national service and collective struggle to drive Pakistan towards development, prosperity, and economic stability.