The conference brought together leading policymakers, academics, and public intellectuals, with Mr. Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, as the Chief Guest. He appreciated BNU’s initiative and its alignment with the government’s development vision. A special keynote was delivered by Mr. Mudassir Sheikha, CEO of Careem, who spoke about the transformative potential of Pakistan’s IT sector.
The second session featured dynamic discussions on political reconciliation, boosting exports, regional connectivity, and investment in education. Moderated by Dr. Zainab, the session included contributions from Javed Jabbar, Imrana Tiwana, Dr. Nizamuddin, Mr. Kashif Noor, Mr. Tariq Ikram, and Mr. Haroon Sharif. Ms. Humaira from the Ministry of Planning also provided valuable insights. The session was followed by a powerful concluding address by Mr. Khurram Dastgir, former Minister for Foreign Affairs, who offered a candid reflection on policy-making gaps and institutional bottlenecks in Pakistan.
In his remarks, BNU Vice Chancellor Dr. Moeed Yusuf reiterated the university’s commitment to providing meaningful policy input. The Director of BCPR highlighted the importance of involving youth in national policy processes. The conference stands as a testament to BNU’s efforts to bridge the gap between academic research and practical policy implementation.
