Pakistan launched the innovation hub on Friday with an aim to incorporate the public’s role in the policy. The government departments will have special cells for talented youths to bring about ideas for development and resolving issues.

“Let’s now push the button,” Prime Minister Shehbaz said as he launched the initiative in Islamabad. “We will hear it [ideas] and implement it in order to have an inclusive approach.”

He was accompanied by Head of PM’s Strategic Reforms Salman Sufi, premier’s aide on Public Policy and Strategic Communications Fahd Hussain, and young leaders from different organizations.

How it will work

• People will submit different initiatives
• Panel of experts will vet the ideas
• A programme to be launched on August 14 where people will pitch ideas
• Selected ideas will be presented to PM Shehbaz
• PM Shehbaz will reward citizen who has presented the best idea
• Idea will then become part of national policy

“I mean it that your brilliant ideas meet the requirement of modern needs,” PM Shehbaz said, “We will take benefits from youth ideas.” He stressed the need for research and ideas to boost development.

Elaborating on the details of the cell, the premier said it would bring ideas related to power, petroleum, finance, and commerce. He admitted that there was a dearth of fresh ideas in departments.

The representatives of different organisations gave the following ideas to the government:

• Strength systems and commissions focused on women’s issues and development
• Franchise models, container hotels, camper vans
• Improvement in road infrastructure
• Five to six technology subjects in the school curriculum
• Tax on international companies like Facebook, Google
• Ease the flow of foreign investment in Pakistan
• Government support to entrepreneurs and start-ups