Planning Minister Outlines Pakistan’s Economic
Reforms in Interaction with Community in Chicago
Pak-Prism Report | Published July 9, 2026
Consulate General of Pakistan in Chicago on Wednesday hosted a special event featuring the Uraan Pakistan Program, with Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, as chief guest.
Congressman Jonathan Jackson, and Congressman Danny Davis and Pakistan ambassador to USA Rizwan Sheikh attended as special guests. Leaders of key Chicago based Pakistani-American organizations participated in the event, the consulate noted in a press release.
Consul General Zaman Mehdi welcomed the distinguished guests and introduced the minister, highlighting the importance of engaging the Pakistani-American community in the US Midwest in Pakistan’s development journey.
In his remarks, Minister Ahsan Iqbal outlined Pakistan’s economic reform agenda and presented Uraan Pakistan as a forward-looking national framework for economic revival, sustainable growth, and long-term transformation. He emphasized that the program is centered on the 5Es: Exports, E-Pakistan, Environment & Climate Change, Energy & Infrastructure, and Equity & Empowerment.
The minister highlighted that Pakistan’s future economic growth will depend on expanding exports, strengthening the digital economy, investing in human capital, ensuring energy security, promoting climate resilience, and creating inclusive opportunities for youth and women. He also underscored the critical role of overseas Pakistanis as partners in investment, innovation, knowledge transfer, and building stronger economic linkages between the two countries.
Ambassador Rizwan Sheikh emphasized the importance of strengthening the economic content of Pakistan-USA bilateral relations, particularly through trade, investment, technology, entrepreneurship, and deeper diaspora engagement.
The minister also engaged in a brief interactive session with participants, exchanging views on Pakistan’s development priorities, economic opportunities, and ways in which the Pakistani-American community can contribute to the country’s progress.