ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the importance of increased youth involvement in national decision-making and development during the launch of the Youth Ideation Lab on Tuesday. He highlighted that decisions made today will significantly influence the future of Pakistan’s younger generation.
Addressing the inaugural event, Iqbal underscored that meaningful participation from youth is crucial for creating practical and innovative solutions to the country’s social and developmental problems. This initiative is part of the broader Bano Shaheen programme, which aims to mobilize one million young people across Pakistan to drive positive social change.
In a significant development, the Youth Ideation Lab is designed to transform young individuals from mere critics into active problem-solvers by tapping into their creativity and potential to address national challenges. Iqbal remarked that while slogans are easy to raise, implementing effective and practical solutions requires dedication and effort.
The minister acknowledged Pakistan’s progress in overcoming major hurdles such as terrorism and energy shortages but pointed out ongoing social issues like rapid population growth, malnutrition, health concerns, and the alarming figure of approximately 25 million out-of-school children. He also mentioned the URAAN Pakistan initiative, which focuses on improving social indicators and enhancing people’s lives.
Iqbal stressed that tackling these challenges, especially those related to social attitudes and behaviors, demands collaborative efforts between the government and young citizens. He further urged the media to shift focus from political talk shows to more serious coverage of national development and public welfare topics, advocating for constructive dialogue on the country’s pressing issues and potential remedies.
The Youth Ideation Lab will serve as a platform for young people nationwide to collaboratively develop actionable solutions to social problems through innovative and cooperative methods. Participants will be encouraged to move beyond problem identification and actively engage in designing and testing solutions.
Under the Bano Shaheen umbrella, the existing network of 159 Young Peace and Development Corps (YPDC) chapters will mobilize youth by forming 65 teams per chapter. This chapter-led effort aims to involve 100,000 university students in community-based initiatives that promote positive social transformation.
The Lab’s framework incorporates methodologies from international development organizations and academic institutions, including Soft Systems Methodology and scrum- and sprint-based techniques. These approaches help break down complex issues, identify root causes, and foster collaborative solution development.
Additionally, the Lab will provide ongoing opportunities for innovation and policy engagement through monthly innovation sprints, TED-style talks, policy labs, and “Dragons’ Den”-style pitch sessions. These activities will enable participants to refine ideas, consult experts, and present proposals targeting social and developmental challenges.
Iqbal affirmed the government’s commitment to leveraging the Youth Ideation Lab and the broader Bano Shaheen movement to actively involve young people in shaping Pakistan’s future. Over the next year, the Lab’s work will contribute to formulating a vision for Pakistan 2047, granting youth a direct role in guiding the country’s long-term development path.
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