Moaaz Manzoor

The “Uraan Pakistan” initiative, introduced as a pathway to economic progress, has drawn attention from experts, who instead stress the importance of addressing structural challenges and aligning policies with actionable goals, reports WealthPK.

Speaking to WealthPK, Muhammad Armughan, a senior researcher at the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), emphasised that while the initiative shows promise, it highlights a broader issue in policymaking: the tendency to rebrand without introducing substantive changes. “Rebranding without substantive policy innovation cannot deliver meaningful economic transformation,” Armughan said.

He explained that inconsistency in long-term planning often hampers the effectiveness of such initiatives. “Each political regime prioritises short-term, politically expedient projects, wasting taxpayer money and stalling long-term development,” he noted. Armughan further pointed out that the absence of clear, actionable manifestos has historically led to predictable challenges in achieving sustainable progress.

Economist Shahid Mehmood shared a similar perspective, stressing the need for robust implementation mechanisms to complement the initiative’s objectives. “The Planning Commission is the graveyard of plans, some of which were very good, like the 2012 ‘Framework for Growth’ under Dr Nadeemul Haq,” he remarked, noting that even well-designed strategies often fail to deliver due to execution gaps.

Mehmood emphasised that while the initiative appears ambitious, its success will largely depend on translating policy goals into actionable and practical measures. He observed that many plans, despite their potential, fail to achieve results without consistent follow-through and effective coordination among stakeholders. Both the experts underscored the need for a coherent vision, clear policy objectives, and regular evaluations to ensure initiatives like ‘Uraan Pakistan’ can achieve their intended outcomes.

They said that economic revival requires more than announcements — it demands systematic efforts and a focus on implementation. The ‘Uraan Pakistan’ initiative has the potential to contribute meaningfully to economic progress. However, its success hinges on addressing structural gaps, ensuring policy coherence, and focusing on effective execution to deliver sustainable outcomes.

Credit: INP-WealthPk