ISLAMABAD, A new economic and policy think tank titled ‘Prosper Pakistan’ was officially inaugurated in Islamabad, bringing together a distinguished group of senior business leaders and industrialists with a shared vision to promote a knowledge-based economy in the country.
During the inaugural meeting, founding members highlighted the critical economic challenges facing Pakistan and underscored the urgency of adopting data-driven policy frameworks. The think tank aims to bridge the gap between academia, industry, and government institutions by offering research-based policy recommendations to stimulate sustainable and inclusive economic growth.
Prominent founding members of Prosper Pakistan include Muhammad Ali Sheikh, Aoun Ali Syed, Afaq Ayub, Ms. Qurat-ul-Ain, Farukh Alvi, Rafique Salman, Tauqeer Malik, Shams Abbasi, Amin Ullah Baig, Sakib Rafiq, Umar Masood Ur Rehman, Rana Siddique, Raja Wamik Khan, Nasim Shahid Mughal, Khaliq Ahmad Minhas, Syed Hasnain Raza, Sajid Sheikh, and Sahiq Ahmed.
President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Mr. Atif Ikram Sheikh, graced the occasion as the guest speaker. He lauded the formation of the think tank, stating, “Given the current economic challenges, Pakistan urgently needs platforms like Prosper Pakistan to serve as the voice of the business community and provide objective, research-based guidance to policymakers.”
He emphasized the importance of comparative economic analysis and stated that Pakistan must learn from regional economies that have made significant strides due to a strong emphasis on research and institutional collaboration.
Vice President FPCCI and founding member of Prosper Pakistan, Mr. Aoun Ali Syed, highlighted the think tank’s role in leveraging data science and research to propose innovative solutions. He noted that “The development of human capital and youth engagement are essential pillars of the modern economy. Prosper Pakistan will work closely with government institutions to develop informed economic strategies.”
Mr. Muhammad Ali Sheikh, a leading business figure, stressed the need for inclusive and sustainable economic policies. “The private sector must take the lead in offering actionable policy suggestions to address industrial challenges. Prosper Pakistan will focus on empirical research and data-driven insights to unlock untapped economic potential,” he stated.
Mr. Afaq Ayub presented an in-depth overview of the think tank’s mission to promote knowledge economy and institutional synergy. He emphasized Prosper Pakistan’s non-partisan, independent structure committed to delivering high-impact policy advice.
Highlighting the need for gender inclusion, senior business leader Ms. Hina Mansab stated, “We must actively promote women entrepreneurship to ensure a truly inclusive economic model.”
Former President of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), Mr. Sakib Rafiq, underlined the importance of entrepreneurship. “Pakistan needs job creators, not just job seekers. We must cultivate an entrepreneurial culture to generate sustainable employment,” he noted.
Other speakers reiterated the need to bridge academia-industry gaps and foster human resource development through targeted skills training. They stressed that sectors like tourism, mining, and information technology hold immense potential and require research-backed strategies to thrive.
Vice President FPCCI, Ms. Qurat-ul-Ain, reinforced the significance of focusing on human capital and adopting modern approaches across industries. “Pakistan must prioritize research and analysis to build a robust, future-ready economy,” she concluded.
The inauguration of Prosper Pakistan marks a significant step toward policy innovation and collaborative economic development. The think tank aims to serve as a strategic hub for knowledge exchange, policy reform, and inclusive growth.
