Islamabad (GNP): Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb held a session with participants of the URAAN Overseas Pakistanis Summer Scholars Programme, a six-week internship initiative run by the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives.
The program brings together overseas Pakistani students and young scholars from top international universities, giving them the chance to engage with public institutions and apply their education and international experience toward Pakistan’s development.
Welcoming participants to the Finance Division, Aurangzeb praised the initiative for connecting Pakistan with young global talent, encouraging scholars to stay engaged with the country and apply their knowledge and international exposure to support its long-term economic growth.
During the session, Aurangzeb gave an overview of Pakistan’s economic situation and the government’s ongoing reform efforts, highlighting progress made over the past two and a half years in restoring macroeconomic stability.
He said the government’s current focus is on achieving sustainable growth through higher exports, increased investment, fiscal discipline, and continued structural reform, adding that creating a favorable environment for private sector-led growth remains central to the government’s economic strategy.
He also pointed to recent improvements in Pakistan’s sovereign credit standing and discussed the government’s efforts to strengthen its engagement with international capital markets, referencing Pakistan’s successful return to global markets — including its first-ever Panda Bond issuance — as part of broader efforts to diversify financing sources through new financial instruments. He said these developments reflect growing international confidence in Pakistan’s economic direction.
Digital Economy and Business Environment
Aurangzeb also briefed participants on the establishment of the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA), designed to create a modern regulatory framework for digital assets, promote responsible innovation, and position Pakistan to benefit from emerging opportunities in digital finance.
He outlined additional government measures aimed at improving the business environment, including efforts to reduce the cost of doing business through tax reform, more affordable financing, competitive energy pricing, and initiatives to strengthen export competitiveness — emphasizing the importance of productivity and innovation in supporting sustainable economic growth.
The session concluded with an interactive discussion in which participants raised questions on topics including economic reform, export promotion, climate finance, and investment opportunities.
Also read: President Zardari Extends Greetings to Maldives on Independence Day
Aurangzeb encouraged the scholars to apply their skills and international experience toward Pakistan’s economic development, reaffirming the government’s commitment to creating opportunities for young professionals to contribute to the country’s future.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
