The federal government has announced plans to mobilize 10 million young people as Social Awareness Ambassadors under the URAAN Pakistan initiative to promote child health, nutrition, early education and community awareness across the country.

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal unveiled the programme while addressing the closing ceremony of a national dialogue on nutrition and early childhood development.

Under the initiative, young volunteers will organize awareness campaigns in their own communities to educate families on issues including maternal and child health, nutrition, early childhood development and the importance of early learning.

The minister said Pakistan’s population has reached nearly 260 million, with around 60 percent made up of young people, making investment in human development essential for the country’s future.

He warned that nearly four in every 10 children in Pakistan suffer from stunted growth, calling it one of the country’s most pressing development challenges. He stressed that proper nutrition, healthcare and learning opportunities during a child’s first five years have a lasting impact on future productivity and national progress.

Ahsan Iqbal said sustainable economic growth must be supported by stronger investment in health, education and social development, adding that Pakistan’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047 depends on building a healthier and more skilled younger generation.

He also emphasized the need for better coordination between federal and provincial governments, saying progress in nutrition, education and child development requires consistent policies and effective implementation rather than new plans alone.

The event brought together officials from the Planning Commission, UNICEF, federal and provincial governments, and development partners to discuss ways to strengthen maternal and child nutrition and accelerate early childhood development across Pakistan.