Islamabad (GNP): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called on Pakistani scholars to apply their education, research background, and international exposure toward supporting Pakistan’s growth and development, speaking to participants of the “Uraan Overseas Pakistan Summer Scholars Programme” in Islamabad.
The program, run under the Ministry of Planning and Development, involves a six-week internship during which participating scholars conduct research on key challenges facing the country. PM Sharif welcomed the decision by Pakistani students studying at top international universities to take part in internships back home.
Emphasizing the role of youth in national development, the prime minister said young Pakistanis have an important part to play in shaping the country’s future, noting that Pakistani students studying abroad continue to bring recognition to the country through their academic accomplishments.
Discussion on Economic Reforms
During the session, PM Sharif briefed the scholars on the government’s reform agenda and responded to their questions. Reflecting on Pakistan’s recent economic challenges, he noted that the country had come close to default in the past before achieving stability through emergency reform measures.
He outlined the government’s broader reform strategy, which includes digitizing the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), boosting tax collection, improving the ease of doing business, increasing productivity, developing the agriculture sector, empowering youth, expanding renewable energy, and supporting sustainable economic growth. He noted that stronger enforcement measures had helped the FBR collect more than 800 billion rupees in additional revenue over the past fiscal year, adding that the government’s broader goal is to build a stronger, self-reliant, and export-driven economy.
Turning to national security, the prime minister credited Pakistan’s armed forces, under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and with national support, with prevailing in the May 2025 conflict with India. He also highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic role in helping de-escalate tensions between the United States and Iran, describing it as a notable chapter in the country’s diplomatic history, and pointed to the resulting Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding as an important contribution toward global peace efforts.
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The meeting concluded with the scholars sharing their own observations and suggestions on improving various sectors of the country.
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.
