Ayesha Saba

 The Ministry of Planning has so far rolled out 286 projects under the URAAN Pakistan initiative, said Dr. Nadeem Jawed, Chief Economist and Vice Chancellor of the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE).

 Speaking to WealthPK, Dr. Nadeem said these projects have been formulated at the federal level under the 5Es Framework and are complemented by parallel initiatives from provincial departments. The programme seeks to align national development priorities with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while strategically mobilizing resources from both the public and private sectors.

He noted that the initiative has moved from the conceptual stage to the initial implementation phase, with multiple interventions designed to activate the framework’s key growth drivers. “Right now, things are being rolled out. Many projects have been conceived, and provincial governments are actively involved,” he stated.

According to Dr. Nadeem, the projects span diverse sectors, including infrastructure, human capital development, agriculture, and technological innovation. Federal and provincial governments are working in coordination to ensure interventions are targeted, scalable, and capable of delivering measurable outcomes.

He emphasized that, although the government is playing a facilitating role in launching these interventions, the private sector’s participation will be crucial for their long-term success. “The role of the private sector is much more important than that of the government. For the private sector, macroeconomic stability and policy continuity are essential,” he stressed.

The 5Es Framework, which is central to the URAAN Pakistan initiative, focuses on five strategic drivers to foster inclusive growth, innovation, and resilience. By integrating these drivers with the SDGs, the government aims to create a development roadmap that addresses both immediate national priorities and long-term global commitments.

Dr. Nadeem highlighted that small but targeted interventions are being prioritized to catalyze broader structural transformation. These efforts are aimed at building momentum, attracting investment, and strengthening institutional capacity.

He suggested that a strong emphasis on public-private partnerships, coupled with policy stability, could significantly boost investor confidence and accelerate development. He maintained that the initiative is not just a policy document, but a practical plan that is already being implemented.

The federal government has unveiled the Rs17 trillion URAAN Pakistan five-year development plan, which is aimed at achieving economic self-sufficiency. The federal share will be Rs7 trillion, while the provinces will contribute Rs10 trillion. The plan targets transforming Pakistan into a $3 trillion economy by 2047. For FY2025–26, the development budget is set at Rs4.2 trillion, including Rs1 trillion under the Public Sector Development Programme.

Credit: INP-WealthPk