Pakistan - A Turn-Around Success Story: For consumers, communities and companies

We are a country little known for our exponential potential. This makes us one of best kept secrets. Sharmin Obaid Chinoy who bagged second Oscar is Pakistan. Samina Khayal Baig who flagged the summit of Mount Everest is Pakistan. Astrophysicist part of black hole gravitational waves discovery, Nergis Mavalvala is Pakistan. The first neurobiologist to have made human brain cells communicate with microchip, Dr Naweed I Syed is Pakistan. Nitrox Master Scuba Diving Instructor, Rosheen Khan is Pakistan. Nobel Prize Winner, Malala Yousaf Zai is Pakistan.
The list of high Pakistan's achievers goes on and on. 2/3rd of Pakistani population comprises of young people. These young people and rising women in Pakistan are the game changer. They are turning Pakistan around.
This is clubbed with consistency of democratic reforms signifying institutionalization of democracy and systematically improving governance. The perils of radicalization that paralyzed Pakistan's potential for over a decade - are over. Pakistan's resilient nation and one of the most dynamic people keeping force on planet earth has terminated terrorism from its roots.
The nation has adoption of Vision 2025 as a collective roadmap for progress and development. All sectors of socio-economics are being steered towards progress. The geo-strategic significance of Pakistan is being raised manifolds as infrastructure, communication, energy and technology corridor is connecting Pakistan from Middle East and North Africa to Central Asian States and Europe. Infrastructure development has linked the mystical Himalayas bordering China with one of the world's most lucrative trade gateways of Gwadar which also happens to be one of the world's deepest sea ports. Pakistan is turning around the cityscapes as well as lives of people. Technologies are on the rise here. With one of the best cellular density, Pakistan has entered a 4G era where e-commerce is enabling businesses-large, medium and small. Forbes has attributed Pakistan's turnaround story with Columbia and has declared it the Saudi Arabia of resources. And why not Pakistan is home of the world's fifth largest gold and copper mine and has one of the largest coal reserves. Nuclear powered Pakistan is producing nuclear, solar, wind, hydel, thermal, and coal-fired power. Industries, communities and services' sector are energized and turning things around.
With continuously improving knowledge-base driven by diversity of skill-sets, Pakistan has already become the hub of best-in-line human resources.
Powered by global trade alliances and financial systems shifting integrations, Pakistan is better positioned to maximize its geo-strategic potential. Development of China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) has already been initiated building trade, technology and energy infrastructures. Under Central Asia South Asia (CASA) 1000 project, energy and trade linkages are being geared up. On the other hand, Iran Pakistan India (IPI) gas pipeline is also on the cards with Iran's economy emerging strongly after lifting of international sanctions.
At an unprecedented pace, Pakistan is overcoming its energy limitation. Reforms in energy sector of Pakistan have opened up new avenues of innovation. Hydel power projects are being improved. Solar energy parks have been and are being established. Wind turbines have started producing energy in Pakistan. Electricity supply from wind mills have already started contributing to the national grid. It is well anticipated that Pakistan will achieve sufficiency in energy beyond 2018. To this effect, coal fired power projects and nuclear power plants are also at work. Collective effect of these diverse projects is certain to usher Pakistan into an era where it will be exporting electricity.
Contrary to some misperceptions about Pakistan's potential, progress and pluralism - right of education, right to information and freedom of expression are flourishing. Labor reforms are well on track. Conventionally agrarian economy of Pakistan is also fast transforming into being a technology-intensive and services-driven model. As a result of these broad-based reforms, investors' confidence in Pakistan is on the rise. Moody International has improved Pakistan's ranking. Pragmatic agendas are also being implemented in Pakistan to achieve better standing on global competitiveness index and on ease-of doing business charts. Import-export balance of Pakistan is improving leaps and bounds. Thanks to the General System of Preferences (GSP+) status that has been awarded to Pakistan for exports to EU markets.
FMCGs, Telecom services, financial solutions, real estate, energy and other sectors continue to attract global investments. This phenomenon is growing exponentially with Pakistan's television, radio, print and digital media's expansion. The highly diverse and dynamic media industry of Pakistan is on the 45 degree growth path with good success rate and tremendous potential. Backed by a robust advertising and media industry, the consumer market is continuously leaving red oceans of competitiveness and entering new blue oceans of innovation. Pakistani consumers, viewers, listeners and readers are rated with a relatively higher emotional intelligence. This is taking the creative benchmarks and servicing standards higher, hand-in-hand with market demand. From media planning to film production and from activation to digitalization - brands in Pakistan are reaching new heights of excellence. Gaps between the brand promise and brand experience is being bridged every day - with a new passion and loftier edge. As media industry in Pakistan improves both its qualitative and quantitative aspects, there is growing need for regional and international integration. Pakistani media delegates have been actively participating in Ad Asia and other events for many years. Time has come, for the world to witnesses Pakistan's rejuvenation and embrace real Pakistan's robust diversity. Time has come to leave behind 'unreal Pakistan' that only existed on the mind-map of the world due to long stained perceptions of international media, industry leaders and brand powers. Now when AdAsia has announced holding 2019 AdAsia in Pakistan - it's time that buoyant forums like ADFEST engages with Pakistani admen, investors, brands and media entities on competitive footing and together the boarder Asian, regional and international media communications spectrum grows in unison for a better brands, better consumers and a better world.