Latest news with #Uraan
Express Tribune
3 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Govt to revive development forum this year
Listen to article Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has reiterated the government's resolve to revive the Pakistan Development Forum later this year – a platform that fosters strategic dialogue between the government of Pakistan and its development partners. During a meeting with newly appointed World Bank Country Director for Pakistan Bolorma Amgaabazar on Wednesday, the minister appreciated the World Bank's continued partnership with Pakistan. Departing country director Najy Benhassine also participated in the meeting, according to a press release issued by the ministry. Iqbal acknowledged the instrumental role played by Benhassine in deepening development cooperation during his tenure. He expressed confidence that the positive trajectory would continue under the new World Bank official, especially under the evolving priorities set forth in Pakistan's long-term development road map. He pointed out that the government had launched Uraan Pakistan – a comprehensive and future-oriented development framework designed to turn the country into a $3 trillion economy by 2047. He noted that the initiative was rooted in five strategic pillars, known as 5Es, which comprised exports, e-Pakistan, environment and climate resilience, energy and infrastructure, and equity, ethics and empowerment. This programme is focused on smart governance, inclusive growth and public sector transformation. "In today's fast-changing global context, planning must be intelligent and adaptive," the minister remarked. "Uraan is about creating hope, harnessing innovation and enabling long-term stability through scenario-based planning and institutional reform." The minister underscored the planning ministry's leadership during the recent national emergencies, including the 2022 floods and the Covid-19 pandemic. He cited the examples as successful case studies of integrated planning and swift execution – the core principles being institutionalised under Uraan. Iqbal told the World Bank officials that his ministry was leading an extensive consultative process to modernise civil services and improve public sector delivery. The World Bank officials offered continued support for advancing reforms and strengthening the implementation capacity, particularly for large-scale infrastructure and social development projects. Discussions between the two sides included the significance of collaborative planning, federal-provincial coordination and institutional resilience. At the conclusion, the minister reaffirmed the commitment to deepening cooperation with the World Bank in pursuit of a resilient, inclusive and future-ready Pakistan.
Business Recorder
08-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Ministries asked to align their projects with ‘URAAN'
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal directed the relevant authorities and ministries to align their projects with URAAN Pakistan's strategic goals and actively participate in the monitoring, reporting, and evaluation process. He also directed the relevant authorities to conduct quarterly meetings to review the performance and targets of the implementation plans and goals of the URAAN Pakistan programme. The minister gave these directions while chairing a special meeting on the alignment of sectoral priorities, plans, and interventions with URAAN Pakistan here on Wednesday. Minister launches Season-2 of Uraan innovation hub The meeting was attended by Chief Economist Planning Commission Dr Imtiaz Ahmed, Project Director URAAN Pakistan Irma Malik, Members of the Planning Commission, and senior officials from federal and provincial ministries. The minister emphasised improved stakeholder coordination and management, a deeper understanding of URAAN Pakistan among line ministry partners, identification of targeted policy interventions for localised implementation, development and oversight of a monitoring framework, and a comprehensive document on early priorities and opportunities. He added that gaps must be identified to implement URAAN Pakistan effectively. In his opening remarks, Ahsan Iqbal paid rich tribute to the timely, effective, and courageous response of the Pakistan Air Force against Indian aggression. He stated that Pakistan's aircraft are not merely machines— they symbolise national dignity, pride, and an unwavering commitment to the defense of the motherland. He asserted that a nation that knows how to defend its territory can never be defeated by any enemy. The minister further highlighted that the brave air warriors of the Pakistan Air Force downed five Indian jets in a swift counter-operation, sending a strong message that the Pakistani nation remains vigilant and fully capable of responding decisively to any hostile intent. By delivering a robust and fitting reply, the Pakistan Armed Forces demonstrated to the world the consequences that await those who cast an evil eye on Pakistan. 'I am confident,' the minister added, 'that after this, India will think 10 times before repeating such aggression. However, this act of hostility will not deter us from our real agenda—Pakistan's economic development.' He emphasised that true national security today is directly linked with economic strength. Until Pakistan becomes economically strong, it cannot ensure a prosperous future for its people. 'We must realise,' he said, 'that if we want to achieve our development goals and make Pakistan a developed nation, we must break away from the mindset of 'business as usual.' Business as usual will not allow us to fully utilise our national potential. We need to move forward with a bold, future-oriented approach.' He stressed that the modern era is driven by artificial intelligence and cutting-edge technology, and Pakistan must align itself with this global pace. 'Look at our public offices and schools— very little has changed. The world has advanced rapidly, yet these two sectors remain stagnant. We must embrace change step by step, as this is now an urgent national requirement.' This, he said, is the core philosophy behind the 'URAAN Pakistan' initiative—to put Pakistan on a transformational path. By unlocking our full potential and driving growth, Pakistan can become a $1 trillion economy by 2025. But if we continue with the same pace and mindset, growing only at four per cent annually, we will only reach $500 billion by 2035. He concluded by stating that transformational change is needed in every institution. 'URAAN Pakistan is not just a program—it is a national transformational plan that calls upon every sector to design and implement bold strategies for high-speed and sustainable growth.' He also added that the 5Es of URAAN Pakistan reflect the five major weaknesses of our economy, and addressing them is key to achieving long-term national prosperity. He said that 'Pakistan has long relied on consumption and imports. Now is the time to shift towards growth driven by exports,' he stressed. He emphasized that growth must be inclusive, ensuring equity and poverty alleviation through job creation and youth development. URAAN Pakistan, he said, prioritises skills training and workforce development to meet the demands of an evolving industrial landscape. 'Nations that embrace technology leapfrog stages of development. Those that resist are left behind. Digitalisation is not just about apps and portals—it's about dismantling red tape and building responsive, intelligent systems,' he remarked. Iqbal described the emergence of 'e-Pakistan' as a new pillar of the country's transformation strategy, focused on re-imagining the national economic model through digital ecosystems in fintech, agri-tech, and green-tech – all designed to generate jobs and attract investment. He said policies were being shaped to position Pakistan as a regional IT hub, supporting artificial intelligence labs, digital finance, cybersecurity, and cloud infrastructure. 'Pakistan's future economic resilience depends on climate-smart planning,' he added. The Project Director, Irma, briefly discussed the agenda of the meeting with the participants, which was to review, identify, and plug gaps in sectoral policies, plans, and interventions in light of URAAN Pakistan. The objective is to revamp effective and high-productivity sectoral transformation plans for the National Economic Transformation, to develop a robust KPI framework for efficient monitoring and evaluation, to build a common understanding of the URAAN Pakistan Programme among focal persons, to enhance the capacity of line ministries on the URAAN Pakistan implementation framework, and to improve coordination mechanisms for the implementation of development programmes. Furthermore, the meeting aimed to ensure that PSDPs and ADPs are aligned with URAAN goals and to identify early harvest and high-impact projects within each sector. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
23-04-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Removal of road obstructions in Sindh demanded
FAISALABAD: All major textile associations in Faisalabad, along with the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI), have raised serious concerns over the ongoing road blockages in Sindh, which are severely disrupting cargo traffic and threatening the export sector. Hazar Khan, Senior Vice Chairman of the Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers & Exporters Association (PHMA) addressing a press conference here Wednesday, said that the road closures due to protests over canal issues have led to the halting of hundreds of containers. This disruption not only delays the timely delivery of products to international markets but also jeopardises the trust of foreign buyers in Pakistani exporters. He further highlighted the challenges faced in receiving raw materials for manufacturing, leading to operational difficulties in industrial units. However, Rehan Naseem Bhara, President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI), emphasised that the blockage of roads is preventing export containers from reaching ports, resulting in delays of up to one to two months. He appealed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief Minister of Sindh Murad Ali Shah to address the issue promptly to prevent further economic damage. Mian Farukh Iqbal, former Chairman PHMA, mentioned that after receiving relief in electricity tariffs, they assured international buyers of the resumption of production processes. However, the current road blockages are hindering exports. He urged the government to resolve the issue swiftly to achieve the 'Uraan' program's target of $60 billion in exports over the next five years. Rana Altaf Ahmed, former Senior Vice Chairman PHMA said this issue must be resolved immediately to avoid having to ship our consignments by air. Syed Zia Alamdar Hussain, former President of the Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce added we are not part of any political agenda. Our only concern is political and economic stability. The government must take urgent action to end the road blockages so that the business and trade ecosystem can return to normal. Waheed Khaliq Ramey Chairman Power Looms Owner association said that this issue is not limited to the export sector alone — the local industry is also being severely affected. 'I respectfully urge the President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, whose party has governed Sindh for the past sixteen years, to intervene and resolve this matter promptly.' Mian Kashif Zia, former Chairman PHMA, said that the news of these protests is damaging Pakistan's image internationally. Our buyers are now reluctant to place new orders. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
11-03-2025
- Health
- Express Tribune
How Aijaz Aslam stays fit during Ramazan
In an interview with Adnan Faisal, actor Aijaz Aslam shared how he keeps his fitness in check during Ramazan, especially when it comes to maintaining a healthy diet. "I have my personal iftari that I take to Ramazan transmissions," he said. "I bring my own fruit chaat and spices. Aside from that, I have some nuts and later, some coffee and dark chocolate. I follow the same routine I do for breakfast." Aijaz doesn't follow strict diets. Instead, he views his healthy habits as a learned part of his daily life. "It has become a lifestyle now. You have to make some effort to stay healthy." However, he doesn't let a change in routine limit his fun. "I do stay up late till sehri if I have plans with friends, but I have a system for that too. I go to sleep early, right after iftar, so that I don't feel hungry again," he explained. "If you go to sleep in the first half of the night, you wake up feeling refreshed. You may fall asleep after 3 AM, but even if you wake up at 12 PM, you won't feel the same way. Your body won't be able to recover as it does with a good night's sleep," he added. "You'll be lethargic and drowsy. You won't have fun for the rest of your day. That's because your body doesn't recover from the previous day's activity." Per the Uraan actor's observations, a lot of people succumb to weight gain in Ramazan, which is especially evident when Eid comes around. "That's because an iftar with pakoras and samosas has become a tradition here, and without them, people think an iftar is incomplete. This is a very wrong concept," he said. "When you're fasting, digestive juices accumulate in your stomach since it's empty. If you don't break your fast with the right food then those juices turn acidic in your stomach. When you start chowing down on fats and fried foods, what's going to happen? Many people end up feeling fatigued. They even develop gastric issues." Aijaz asserted that these physical reactions begin manifesting early on, when one's body isn't able to adapt to the sudden change in routine. Keep it simple," he said. "These days, the trend of having grand iftar parties has decreased, so people have now shifted these gatherings to sehri." The 52-year-old actor also believes that these changes are a part of life and, ultimately, Ramazan should be spent well spiritually. "What matters is how you utilise the month of Ramazan when it swings by," he said. "You should aim to not just enjoy it but also to perform as many good deeds as possible."
Express Tribune
30-01-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
AI at the helm: a bold roadmap for transforming universities
Listen to article In a world rapidly shaped by artificial intelligence, Pakistan's higher education sector cannot afford to remain on the sidelines. The recent five-year economic transformation plan of Pakistan, Uraan, unveiled on 1st January 2025, emphasises AI as a driving force for growth, innovation and societal progress. Higher education institutions must rise to meet this challenge if we wish to nurture graduates who can excel in these modern times with skills to make use of generative AI models in their learnings. AI's impact on teaching and learning extends far beyond flashy digital robotic tools. At its best, AI is about personalising the academic journey, allowing students to learn at their own pace while still engaging in collaborative classroom experiences. In Pakistan, however, many disciplines in higher education remain bound by rigid syllabi that barely acknowledge the rise of these emerging technologies. The mismatch between outdated content and the relentless advance of AI calls is being seen in a strong decline in students enrolment in these disciplines, calling for an urgent overhaul. Curricula must be dynamic, involving modules on machine learning, data ethics and computational thinking to prepare students for a workforce hungry for these skills. I was reminded of this urgency while attending a talk at University of Management and Technology (UMT), titled Minds and Machines: The Human Factor in the AI Revolution, delivered by Stephen Brobst, an MIT-Harvard guru on AI. He quoted ideas from the book Power and Progress by the authors Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson who received the 2024 Nobel Prize in Economics. He mentioned that banning or restricting AI in higher education is like an ostrich putting its head in the sand. He argued that the real benefit of AI would be to boost productivity across sectors and would actually create more employment opportunities, rather than eliminate them. Stephen spoke of blending human intuition with advanced technology, highlighting that although algorithms can crunch vast quantities of data, the spark of innovation and context-driven insights come from people. He also mentioned that Pakistan's youth, just like in neighbouring India, has the potential to make huge strides in the AI revolution if we seize opportunities in advancing our learnings at higher education institutions and pursuing entrepreneurship and skill development. His insights underscored how universities in Pakistan cannot ignore AI's transformative power if we truly wish to evolve as future oriented universities. Many universities lack reliable high-speed internet or the computing infrastructure needed to train robust AI models. Faculty with hands-on AI experience are also in short supply, partly due to limited professional development opportunities. If we are serious about realising Uraan's vision, we must bridge these infrastructural and expertise gaps through targeted funding for universities and via strategic partnerships with local industries and international institutions. Employers in Pakistan have long complained of a growing divide between academic qualifications and real-world demands. This gap is more evident than ever in the applications of AI, where skills in data science, natural language processing and deep learning are rapidly becoming prerequisites. Universities should cultivate stronger links with the private sector, inviting guest speakers, launching collaborative research projects and offering students real-world case studies. UMT, for example, arranged recently a talk by Usman Asif, the Founder and CEO of DevSinc, a leading tech company in Lahore with a mission to create 80,000 jobs in Pakistan. Such initiatives not only enrich the learning beyond the classroom experience of our students but also ensure graduates have marketable skills from day one. AI's power comes along with ethical dilemmas that universities must address, especially when preparing future professionals. Automation of simpler tasks can displace unskilled workers, data misuse can jeopardise privacy and unchecked algorithms or use of unreliable data can foster bias. By integrating ethical AI modules into degree programmes, we can produce graduates who are keenly aware of these risks. The Uraan plan emphasises responsible innovation, making it all the more important for universities to train students to build, deploy and regulate AI systems with integrity. Modern research in AI thrives on synergy between disciplines. To encourage cross-disciplinary ideas, universities should create platforms where computer scientists, economists, sociologists and psychologists can share insights and co-develop solutions. This collaborative ethos, supported by strong university leadership, can help transform higher education into a vibrant ecosystem that drives Pakistan's competitive position in the world, especially in the adoption of emerging technologies. Next few years will prove decisive for Pakistan's universities and each institution now stands at a pivotal moment in its history. Embracing AI must be seen not as a mere upgrade but as a transformation that redefines how we teach, learn and create. We need far-reaching reforms in curricula, more robust infrastructure, stronger faculty development and an unwavering commitment to ethics as we adopt AI. Uraan offers a bold blueprint for our future, yet it will succeed only if our universities commit to forward-looking strategies that address the realities of an AI-driven world. Crucially, a structured roadmap is needed to guide Pakistani universities toward fully embracing AI in their degrees, programmes and courses. The overarching vision is to harness AI as a primary tool for delivering structured and certified university-level education, shifting the core business from reliance on books, teachers, classrooms and traditional exams to an AI-based framework that optimises learning efficiencies. This transformation requires two key steps. Step 1 involves converting all educational content - be it from books, research articles or other resources - into specialised Subject AI Models, thus substantially reducing the need for printed textbooks and providing continuously updated knowledge repositories. Step 2 calls for delivering most of the instruction through these Subject AI Models, with human educators stepping in only when guidance, ethical judgement or deeper discussion is required. In tandem, Pakistan's Higher Education Commission (HEC) must play a pivotal role as regulator and enabler: it can ensure responsible AI use, certify Subject AI Models, set guidelines to prevent misuse and incentivise universities to adopt and refine these AI tools. By establishing clear standards and certifications, the HEC can encourage institutions to invest in building robust AI systems and align teaching resources towards more productive, high-impact educational activities. Now is the time for swift action. If our universities seize this opportunity, Pakistan can look ahead to a future of dynamic academic excellence, vibrant economic growth and a society enriched by emerging technologies.
