Islamabad:As the digital era reshapes economies around the globe, Pakistan is envisioning a new growth trajectory built on innovation, inclusion and digital empowerment.
This vision takes center stage at the 38th Annual Conference of Pakistan Society of Development Economists (PSDE), organized by Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), situated in Quaid-i-Azam University, under the theme “URAAN Pakistan: growth through digital transformation.”
Scheduled here from April 15 to 17, the conference will bring together economists, technologists, policymakers and global thought leaders to explore how Pakistan can harness digital transformation to unlock human potential, increase productivity and set course toward a trillion-dollar economy by 2035.
Rooted in a vision of reform and innovation, the conference builds on Ministry of Planning, Development & Special Initiatives. Speaking on the urgency of the moment, Dr Nadeem Javaid, Vice-Chancellor of PIDE and President. PSDE, emphasised that Pakistan stands at a critical inflection point. “Once, the symbol of progress was the rising chimney of a factory. Today, it’s a glowing screen in the palm of a dreamer. With just a smartphone, a data signal and an idea, the world opens up — and so does Pakistan’s future,” he said. “Digital transformation is no longer a choice — it’s the runway from where Pakistan must take off. URAAN Pakistan is our call to lift off — to imagine a country where a coder in Gilgit, an entrepreneur in Layyah and a data scientist in Karachi aren’t working in silos, but shaping the same digital destiny. At the 38th PSDE Conference, we are not just exploring digital tools. We are charting a bold new development story — one that begins with connectivity and ends with opportunity for all.”
Key highlights of PSDE 38 include keynote addresses from three globally renowned speakers—Nobel Laureates Michael Spence, Pier Paolo Saviotti and Muhammad J. Sear — whose insights will lend international perspective to Pakistan’s digital ambitions. Over three days, the event will host six high-level panel discussions featuring both national and international leaders, along with the presentation of 45 technical papers addressing critical areas of digital development, economics, and inclusive policy design.
According to a statement, the conference is structured around three main objectives. First, accelerating digital transformation by exploring policies to digitise governance, enable smart infrastructure and grow Pakistan’s digital economy. Second, adapting global insights to the local context, particularly in areas such as AI-based innovation, digital public goods and data governance. Finally, the conference places a strong emphasis on inclusive growth, advocating for youth, women and underserved communities to be at the core of Pakistan’s digital future — ensuring no one is left behind.
With the URAAN agenda gaining national momentum, the PSDE 38 conference is not just a forum for ideas but a platform for mobilising real, actionable change, adds the statement.