A bold new vision for national progress took centre stage at Oxford University as Harvard Professor Asim Ijaz Khwaja called for the creation of a Human Potential Fund for Pakistan. Speaking at the Fourth Annual Iqbal Lecture, he urged policymakers, scholars, and global development leaders to rethink traditional models of economic growth and focus instead on unlocking the vast human talent that often goes unnoticed in society.
A Radical Reframing of Development
Delivering a thought-provoking lecture titled Reimagining Development: From Poverty to Human Potential, Professor Khwaja argued that conventional development thinking—built largely in the post-war era—no longer matches the needs of today’s fast-changing world. He explained that economic uncertainty, declining global aid budgets, and rapid technological advancement have created a landscape where old formulas simply do not work.
According to him, the real tragedy is not just poverty itself, but the wasted possibilities of millions who never get the chance to learn, grow, and contribute. This insight forms the foundation of the Human Potential Fund for Pakistan, a long-term initiative he hopes will transform how the country identifies, nurtures, and promotes talent at scale.
Iqbal’s Philosophy Inspires Modern Policy
Drawing from Allama Iqbal’s timeless philosophy of khudi, Professor Khwaja stated that every individual holds a unique spark of potential. However, outdated systems often suppress this talent rather than helping it flourish. Barriers in education, labour markets, institutional structures, and access to opportunity prevent many Pakistanis from reaching their full capability.
He urged a shift toward people-centred development—one that values creativity, innovation, and empowerment. In this context, the Human Potential Fund for Pakistan would serve as a transformative platform to identify gifted individuals across the country and provide them with education, mentorship, technology, and long-term support.
Oxford Hosts a Powerful Gathering of Minds
The Oxford Pakistan Programme (OPP) hosted the event at Lady Margaret Hall, drawing a full house of students, academics, and supporters. The lecture series, supported by the Dadabhoy Foundation, has become a prestigious annual fixture in Oxford’s academic landscape, bringing Pakistan’s intellectual and cultural heritage into the global spotlight.
Many attendees from universities across Pakistan joined the event through a live broadcast, reflecting the growing international interest in Pakistan’s development challenges and opportunities.
Global Development Leaders Weigh In
A stimulating panel discussion followed the lecture, featuring senior global leaders including UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner and former FCDO Chief Economists Professors Stefan Dercon and Adnan Khan. Chaired by Professor Adeel Malik, the conversation explored how institutional capacity, governance quality, and state structure determine whether human potential can flourish.
Panellists addressed a wide range of questions related to extreme poverty, climate pressures, data reliability, and policy implementation. In his responses, Professor Khwaja explained that reform must be both systemic and empowering. Real change depends on institutions that uplift people and citizens who believe in their own agency.
“Development happens when individuals believe their actions matter,” he highlighted, underscoring a core principle behind the proposed Human Potential Fund for Pakistan.
A Vision for Transformative Change
Professor Khwaja’s proposal aims to move Pakistan away from short-term fixes and toward long-term investment in its people. The fund would work much like an innovation engine—scanning communities to find promising students, entrepreneurs, and change-makers, then giving them the tools they need to thrive.
This approach mirrors global models that have successfully accelerated development by focusing on education, technology, leadership training, and inclusive opportunity. Through the Human Potential Fund for Pakistan, these ideas could be adapted to Pakistan’s unique context, helping the country harness the enormous creativity of its youth.
Celebrating the Growth of the Iqbal Lecture Series
Reflecting on the success of the event, Abdulghani Dadabhoy of the Dadabhoy Foundation praised the rapid evolution of the Annual Iqbal Lecture. He noted that in just four years, it has become a respected part of Oxford’s academic calendar, creating space for meaningful discussions on Pakistan’s future and the global relevance of Iqbal’s ideas.
This year’s lecture not only honoured Iqbal’s vision but also presented a forward-looking agenda that could reshape Pakistan’s development narrative.
The proposal for a Human Potential Fund for Pakistan signals a pivotal moment in the country’s development journey. Instead of focusing solely on poverty alleviation, this framework emphasises talent, empowerment, and long-term human investment. Professor Khwaja’s message—deeply rooted in Iqbal’s philosophy—reminds us that true progress begins with recognising the power within individuals.
If implemented, this initiative could redefine how Pakistan nurtures its future leaders, innovators, and builders, ultimately unlocking a new era of national growth and transformation.
