Ahsan Iqbal Tells UET Lahore Graduates Their Degrees Are Only the Starting Point

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has called on young engineers to take a leading role in Pakistan's economic transformation, asking them to help make the country a success story by the 100th anniversary of its independence in 2047. Speaking as chief guest at the convocation of the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) in Lahore on November 10, he described the graduating class as a generation entrusted with fulfilling the promise of the country's founding.

Iqbal said the future of Pakistan would depend on young professionals who combine technical skills with innovation, integrity and a commitment to public service. Recalling his own ties to the university, he noted that he had organised its convocation in 1981 as president of the Students Union, the first such ceremony in a decade, and paid tribute to his former teachers and to the parents who supported the graduates' education.

The minister highlighted artificial intelligence, robotics, advanced materials and other emerging technologies as forces reshaping engineering and global competition. He encouraged graduates to adopt these fields while developing independent thinking, sound judgment and a habit of lifelong learning. "Your degree certifies what you have learned so far. Your career will depend on how well you keep learning," he said.

Linking engineering expertise to the government's URAAN Pakistan initiative, Iqbal said the country must strengthen its capacity to design, manufacture and export competitive products and technological solutions. He identified industrial productivity, reliable energy, water management, climate-resilient infrastructure, digital transformation and agricultural technology as key areas where young professionals can contribute.

Explaining the vision behind "Maarka-e-Taraqi," he said its success should be measured through productive businesses, stronger institutions, meaningful employment and visible improvements in people's lives. He urged graduates to prioritise meaningful contribution over personal advancement, build disciplined work habits and treat their knowledge and professional authority as a public trust, particularly because engineers carry responsibility for public safety.

Iqbal also called for closer cooperation between universities and industry and asked institutions to provide equal opportunities for women engineers. He encouraged Pakistani engineers working abroad to stay connected to the country through research, investment, knowledge sharing and international networks. Concluding his address, he asked graduates to measure their careers by what they will have helped build when Pakistan marks its centenary in 2047.

The convocation underscored the government's emphasis on skills, innovation and technology as pillars of long-term economic growth, with young professionals positioned at the centre of that agenda.