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ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has called for greater participation of young people in Pakistan’s national decision-making and development process.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Youth Ideation Lab, Iqbal said decisions made today would have a significant impact on the future of the country’s younger generation.
Youth Urged to Become Problem-Solvers
The minister said meaningful youth participation was essential for developing practical and innovative solutions to Pakistan’s social and developmental challenges.
He said the Youth Ideation Lab was designed to help transform young people from those who merely highlight problems into problem-solvers capable of developing and implementing practical solutions.
Iqbal stressed that slogans alone were not enough and encouraged young people to focus on ideas that could be implemented and deliver measurable results.
Bano Shaheen to Mobilise One Million Youth
The Youth Ideation Lab is part of Bano Shaheen, a programme aimed at mobilising one million young people across Pakistan to contribute to positive social change.
Under the initiative, the existing network of 159 Young Peace and Development Corps (YPDC) chapters will engage young people, with plans to form 65 teams per chapter.
The programme also aims to involve 100,000 university students in community-based activities focused on social improvement.
Pakistan Faces Major Social Challenges
Iqbal said Pakistan had overcome several major challenges, including terrorism and energy shortages, but continued to face serious social issues.
These include population growth, malnutrition, health-related challenges and approximately 25 million out-of-school children, he said.
The minister added that the government and young people would need to work together to address these challenges, particularly issues linked to social attitudes and behaviour.
Youth Ideation Lab to Develop Practical Solutions
The Youth Ideation Lab will provide young people from across the country with a platform to work collectively on solutions to social challenges.
Participants will be encouraged to identify the root causes of problems, develop ideas and test possible solutions through collaborative approaches.
The Lab will use methodologies including Soft Systems Methodology and sprint- and scrum-based approaches to help participants tackle complex institutional and social issues.
Monthly Innovation Activities Planned
The initiative will also feature monthly innovation sprints, TED-style talks, policy labs and Dragons’ Den-style pitches.
These activities will allow participants to develop and test ideas, interact with experts and present proposals aimed at addressing national development challenges.
Focus on Pakistan 2047
Iqbal said the government intended to use the Youth Ideation Lab and the wider Bano Shaheen programme to give young people a greater role in shaping Pakistan’s future.
He said the work carried out through the Ideation Lab over the coming year would contribute to developing a vision for Pakistan 2047, providing young people with a direct role in the country’s long-term development planning.
