Pakistan has launched the ambitious “ePakistan” initiative under the #Uraan_Pakistan strategy, aiming to transform the country into a knowledge-driven, technology-rich, and innovative economy valued at one trillion dollars by the year 2035.
The new vision is based on principles of transparency, institutional accountability, and human capital enhancement, placing science, technology, and engineering at the heart of national progress. “ePakistan,” a central pillar of the larger Uraan Pakistan strategy, encompasses six key priorities:
1. Developing advanced digital infrastructure
2. Establishing a supportive ecosystem for startups and venture funding
3. Enhancing skills training, freelancing, and vocational expertise
4. Implementing a comprehensive national Artificial Intelligence framework
5. Strengthening cybersecurity preparedness
6. Promoting inclusive science and engineering education for all citizens
To ensure effective implementation, Federal Minister for Planning Professor Ahsan Iqbal chaired an important meeting to review progress on the Science, Technology, and Engineering for Development initiative. During this session, Dr. Najeebullah Marwat presented a detailed and innovative roadmap focused on essential reforms, including upgrades to Pakistan’s education system in line with world-class standards, promoting innovation in business and technology sectors, and harmonizing national projects and policies according to global trends.
The meeting was attended by senior officials, including Secretary Planning Owais Manzoor Samra, Vice Chancellor of PIDE Dr Nadeem Javaid, and other high-ranking representatives. Minister Iqbal directed officials to ensure comprehensive and coordinated consultations with industry experts in the IT and education sectors. These consultations aim to foster greater collaboration and cooperation, facilitating the development of actionable policies that effectively address contemporary challenges and opportunities.
