Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal, while addressing the inaugural session of the Aawaz II Programme, emphasized that integrating social inclusion and institutional accountability into the national development agenda is essential. He said that inclusion and transparency are the foundation of sustainable governance, and every citizen and community has a vital role to play in Pakistan’s development.
The Minister stated that the government is giving the voice of the people a central role in the policymaking process. He added that the Aawaz II programme has effectively enhanced the representation of marginalized groups, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
Highlighting the government’s reform vision, Professor Ahsan Iqbal said that the “Uraan Pakistan” 5Es Framework serves as a comprehensive reform roadmap aimed at transforming current challenges into new opportunities and turning Pakistan into a strong and resilient economy. He noted that export growth, digital transformation, green energy, environmental sustainability, and social equity are the key pillars of the Uraan framework.
He said that making youth the central part of the national reform process is the government’s top priority. In this regard, Young Peace and Development Corps units have been established in 131 campuses across 42 cities, enabling young fellows, scholars, and interns to gain hands-on experience and contribute to national progress.
The Minister informed that under the Baikhtiar Nujawan Internship Programme, more than 60,000 paid internships are being offered, while 10,000 special internships have been allocated for the youth of Balochistan.
He further said that the Young Development Fellows Programme is nurturing a new generation of policy professionals, while the Champions of Reforms Network is providing expert input to national policymaking.
Professor Ahsan Iqbal added that the Ministry of Planning is taking steps to introduce Urdu as an optional language in the CSS examinations. He assured that the Aawaz II models will be integrated into the government system to ensure sustainability and promote the principles of public participation and social justice at the institutional level.
