By: Maha Khaliq
Email: mahakhaliq19@gmail.com
Pakistan is a blessed country in terms of natural, agricultural, mineral as well as human resources. In order to ripe the fruit of these blessings, Uraan Pakistan has launched in 2025 which is an ambitious plan that has potential to re-rail the de-rail economy of Pakistan. Under the umbrella of the five E’s of Uraan Pakistan, our economy can reach the GDP size of 1 trillion dollars by 2035.
Energy sector of Pakistan is in deplorable situation, which can be improved by enhancing electricity transmission capacity that is currently 22000MW.It can be made possible by adopting public private partnership model like Brazil. There is a need to harness the renewable energy potential which comprises of 60GW hydel,50GWwind and 40 GW solar energy. Pakistan needs to collaborate with China for implanting solar trees in Pakistan. Construction of Kalabagh Dam is the need of hour for availing hydel potential. There is a dire need to re-negotiate power agreements with IPP’s for reducing the electricity prices. Furthermore, government should withdraw free electricity of about 441.5 million units to the more than 200,000 current and former employees of the energy sector.
Like energy sector, export sector of Pakistan also needs solutions for enhancing the volume of exports from 27bn $ to up to 60 bn$. It can be accomplished by diversifying the export basket through inclusion of final and value added items. Moreover, export market destination also needs diversification so that Pakistan can export goods and services to the whole world instead of constraining in just US, China and Saudia markets., Small and Medium Enterprises which are 5.2millions should be provided subsidized finance for surging their export share from 25% to 60%.Moreover , provision of subsidies to the export industries should be linked with their performance for developing competitive environment. Cheap electricity should be provided to export oriented industries for expanding export volume. Government should focus on the export of services like health services in countries with rapidly aging population like Italy, Japan etc.
Transforming Pakistan into E-Pakistan, fast track and un-interrupted internet provision is the key to success. It will bolster IT related exports. Besides it, cyber security laws must be implemented in letter and spirit to provide safe environment for E-commerce and E-businesses. Six months IT courses should be made mandatory at matriculation level for developing IT friendly human capital. Moreover, Pakistan should collaborate with China and Japan to initiate free IT related internships for the youth that is 64 % of total population. IT start ups should be encouraged at wider scale.
In the arena of Environment and climate change, Pakistan is among the top 10 climate change affected countries despite having less than 1 % greenhouse gases emissions. For combating it, there is a dire need of climate diplomacy especially with the India because this is a global issue which has no boundaries. Pakistan has to demand the climate finance from the world under Paris agreement, for climate change adaptation and mitigation. Government should impose carbon tax on high carbon emitting industries. Smart green lockdowns are pivotal for tackling climate change consequences like smog.
5th E deals with equity, empowerment and ethics. It is imperative to enhance the female labor force participation rate which is currently 25%. Half of Pakistan’s population comprises of women. So, a safe learning and working environment needs to be developed for them. Because no nation can succeed unless half of its population are held behind. Government along with the Islamic scholars should convey the message that girls are not burden for their parents. They are the source of blessings for them and are the true helping hand of their parents. Moreover, Pakistan is combating with rapid population growth rate of 2.55%. Population planning is a key to control this issue. Government should give due and equitable economic share to Balochistan and Gilgit Baltistan for addressing their grievances.
In the area of Education, it is pivotal to promote critical thinking and conceptual based learning for producing inventors, innovators, researchers, scientists etc. rather than just rote learners. SIFC should be used as a magnet for attracting foreign direct investment to ramp up economy. For addressing debt burden, there is a need to establish a Debt Repay Fund on immediate basis. Additionally, judiciary has to play its effective role through speedy trials for saving wealth of public. Media should arrange programs on economic and social issues for getting solutions instead of conducting political debates. Government of Pakistan along with the Islamic Ideology Council has to depict the true picture of the Islam for mitigating the Islamophobia and brining peace in the country. In terms of Ethics, government should arrange parental and teachers ethical training because they are the first learning institutes for the children.
If Pakistan succeeds in implementing all of these solution-based approaches under the platform of Uraan Pakistan, it will definitely boost the GDP size of Pakistan near to 1 trillion $ by 2035.It is hoped that incumbent government with the leading brain of Mr.Ahsan Iqbal will bolster the economic position of the Pakistan.
