NEW YORK (special crosspondent) – Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has informed the Pakistani-American community in New York that Pakistan has successfully achieved critical macroeconomic stability. Addressing a gathering on Sunday, he noted that the government has effectively controlled inflation and bolstered export volumes, marking a significant turnaround under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif following a period of intense financial volatility.

Economic Recovery and Strategic Initiatives

The minister stated that the current administration has stabilized the national macroeconomic framework, enhanced development expenditures to historic levels, and successfully stabilized the domestic currency. The event, hosted by the Consulate General of Pakistan, was attended by a diverse group of community members, business leaders, and students. The session was moderated by acting Consul General Umar Sheikh, with notable attendees including former Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir and Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh.

Reflecting on broader national achievements, Ahsan Iqbal praised the armed forces’ performance under the leadership of General Asim Munir during the border conflict in May 2025. He also underscored the success of Pakistan’s diplomatic mediation in fostering a Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran, which led to a cessation of hostilities. These accomplishments, he noted, have significantly elevated Pakistan’s standing in the international arena. As the nation pivots toward long-term growth, stakeholders continue to watch how the government aligns its privatization agendas with these broader stability goals.

The URAAN Pakistan Vision and the 5Es Framework

Looking toward the future, the minister introduced the “URAAN Pakistan” initiative, an ambitious long-term roadmap designed to elevate Pakistan into a $1 trillion economy by 2035 and a $3 trillion economy by 2047. This vision is supported by the “5Es” framework, which prioritizes:

• Expanding annual exports to $100 billion, with a focus on IT and agricultural modernization;
• Digitizing the economy and accelerating tech-based entrepreneurship;
• Building climate resilience to safeguard national infrastructure;
• Creating sustainable, affordable, and reliable energy systems; and,
• Fostering inclusive growth and empowering the youth population.

Policy Continuity and National Unity

Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that historical economic stagnation was largely driven by political instability and inconsistent policymaking. He argued that the era of political agitation must yield to a focused effort on economic advancement. “We must prioritize policy continuity to attract foreign investment and put the country on the road to prosperity,” the minister remarked. Drawing parallels to global cooperation, observers have noted how initiatives like those highlighted by Azam Tarar regarding social empowerment could complement these economic shifts. Additionally, he urged the diaspora to promote a positive image of the country and encouraged businessmen to explore investment opportunities back home. Echoing these sentiments, former minister Khurram Dastgir remarked that the nation is on an “upswing,” highlighting that recent breakthroughs in US-Pakistan relations were seen by many as unexpected following the tensions in May. Ambassador Rizwan Saeed Sheikh concluded the event with a welcoming address, reiterating the importance of unity in the country’s ongoing diplomatic trajectory.