March 23, 2025, marks another celebration of Pakistan Day, a commemoration of the Lahore Resolution of 1940 that laid the foundation for a sovereign nation driven by unity, self-reliance, and the pursuit of a better future. This day is not just a historical milestone but a clarion call to action, especially for Pakistan’s youth which is about 60% of the population under 30. It holds the key to the nation’s progress. As Pakistan navigates economic challenges, technological disruptions, and global competition, the ideals of March 23 resonate deeply with the burgeoning spirit of youth-led entrepreneurship.
The Lahore Resolution envisioned a homeland where communities could thrive economically and socially, free from oppression and dependency. Today, this vision translates into empowering the youth to drive economic independence through entrepreneurship. With a median age of 23 and a growing tech-savvy population, Pakistan boasts one of the world’s youngest demographics—a “youth bulge” that, if harnessed, can propel the nation forward. Yet, challenges like unemployment (over 8% among youth), limited skills training, and restricted access to capital persist. Entrepreneurship offers a pathway to turn these challenges into opportunities, echoing the resolve of 1940 to create something extraordinary from adversity.
The government’s initiatives, such as the Kamyab Jawan Programme and the National Incubation Centers (NICs), reflect a commitment to this vision. However, the real momentum comes from the youth themselves—individuals who, inspired by the spirit of Pakistan Day, are innovating, taking risks, and redefining success. Their stories illustrate how entrepreneurship aligns with the March 23 ideals of self-determination, community upliftment, and national pride.
Success Story 1: Fatima Rizwan and TechJuice – Igniting a tech revolution
Fatima Rizwan, a young entrepreneur from Lahore, founded TechJuice in 2013 at the age of 22. What began as a blog to chronicle Pakistan’s nascent startup ecosystem has grown into the country’s leading technology news and information platform. Inspired by the lack of accessible resources for aspiring tech entrepreneurs, Fatima turned her passion for technology into a mission to connect, inform, and inspire.
Journey and impact:
Armed with a degree from Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Fatima bootstrapped TechJuice with minimal resources. Today, it reaches millions, offering insights into startups, job opportunities, and tech trends. Her platform has spotlighted countless young innovators, fostering a community that mirrors the unity envisioned on March 23. By amplifying success stories—like that of Careem’s early days in Pakistan—Fatima has inspired a generation to pursue tech entrepreneurship.
Societal ripple effect:
TechJuice has bridged the information gap, empowering rural and urban youth alike to engage with the digital economy. It has indirectly supported job creation by linking talent with opportunities, contributing to a tech sector that now employs thousands. Fatima’s work embodies the March 23 ideal of self-reliance, proving that one individual’s vision can catalyze collective progress.
Success Story 2: Khalida Brohi and Sughar Empowerment Society – empowering rural women
Khalida Brohi’s story is one of courage rooted in the rugged landscapes of Balochistan. At 16, she witnessed the honor killing of a friend, an event that spurred her to found the Sughar Empowerment Society in 2009. The nonprofit trains tribal and rural women in entrepreneurial skills, leadership, and crafts, aiming to break cycles of poverty and violence.
Journey and impact:
Starting with a small group in her village, Khalida scaled Sughar to reach over 5,000 women across Pakistan by 2025. Her model provides training in stitching, embroidery, and marketing, enabling women to sell their products locally and online. Recognized globally, Khalida’s work earned her accolades like the Lux Style Award for social impact, reflecting her alignment with the March 23 vision of uplifting marginalized communities.
Societal ripple effect:
Sughar has transformed rural economies by creating micro-entrepreneurs who support their families—often doubling household incomes from zero to PKR 10,000 monthly. Beyond economics, it has shifted cultural norms, reducing gender-based violence by giving women agency. This mirrors the Lahore Resolution’s promise of dignity and opportunity for all, proving entrepreneurship can heal societal wounds.
Success Story 3: Umar Farooq and Daraz – Redefining e-commerce
Umar Farooq, a co-founder of Daraz, exemplifies how youth can reshape industries. Launched in 2012 as an online marketplace, Daraz grew from a Karachi-based startup to a regional giant, acquired by Alibaba in 2018. Umar, then in his 20s, saw the potential of e-commerce in a country where traditional retail dominated.
Journey and impact:
With a team of young innovators, Umar navigated logistical challenges—like Pakistan’s patchy address system—to build a platform that now serves millions. By 2025, Daraz employs over 10,000 people directly and supports countless sellers, many of them youth and women entrepreneurs. Umar’s leadership reflects the March 23 spirit of innovation and resilience, turning a local idea into a global success.
Societal ripple effect:
Daraz has democratized commerce, enabling small businesses in remote areas to reach urban markets. Its Daraz University program trains sellers in digital skills, amplifying economic inclusion. The platform’s growth has spurred logistics and tech jobs, aligning with the Lahore Resolution’s goal of economic empowerment and national strength.
Success Story 4: Ali Rehan and Groopic – Innovating for the world
Ali Rehan, a LUMS graduate, co-founded Groopic in 2013, a mobile app that lets photographers appear in their own group photos using image-stitching technology. At 25, Ali led a team that gained international acclaim, with features in TechCrunch and CNN, and a spot in Google’s Blackbox Connect accelerator.
Journey and impact:
Starting in Lahore, Ali’s innovation showcased Pakistan’s tech potential on a global stage. Though Groopic later pivoted, his subsequent venture, Ingrain, an ad-tech platform, continues to solve real-world problems. His journey reflects the March 23 ideal of ambition, pushing boundaries to put Pakistan on the map.
Societal ripple effect:
Ali’s success has inspired a wave of tech startups in Pakistan, fostering a culture of innovation. His work with Plan9, a tech incubator, has mentored hundreds of young entrepreneurs, amplifying the ripple effect. This aligns with the Lahore Resolution’s vision of a nation that competes and excels globally.
Broader impact: Entrepreneurship as a national movement
These stories are not isolated triumphs but part of a larger movement. Pakistan’s startup ecosystem has grown exponentially, with over 2,000 startups by 2025, many led by youth under 30. The Ba-Ikhtiar Project by PTCL Group and the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, for instance, has trained women and youth in e-commerce, creating over 500 micro-businesses since 2023. Such initiatives echo the March 23 call for collective upliftment.
Economically, youth entrepreneurship contributes significantly—startups added $1 billion to Pakistan’s GDP in 2024 alone, per industry estimates. Socially, they challenge norms, from gender roles to regional disparities, fostering inclusivity. Environmentally, ventures like Aerosync by Neelum Hassan, designing solar-powered vendor carts, address sustainability—a modern extension of the Lahore Resolution’s promise of a thriving homeland.
Challenges and the way forward
Despite these successes, hurdles remain. Access to funding is limited, with only 5% of startups securing venture capital. Skills gaps persist, with 30% of youth lacking digital literacy, per UNDP reports. Bureaucratic red tape and infrastructure deficits further complicate growth. To fully realize the March 23 ideals, Pakistan needs:
- Policy Support: Tax incentives and streamlined regulations for startups.
- Education Reform: Integrating entrepreneurship and digital skills into curricula.
- Investment Ecosystem: Expanding angel networks and public-private partnerships.
The government’s Digital Pakistan vision and private efforts like NICs are steps in the right direction, but scaling these efforts is crucial.
Success Story 5: Bilal Bin Saqib and Tayaba – Watering the roots of change
Bilal Bin Saqib, a Karachi-born social entrepreneur, founded Tayaba in 2016 at 23. After studying in the UK, he returned to address water scarcity in rural Sindh and Balochistan, earning a spot on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia list in 2020.
Journey and impact:
Tayaba installs water pumps and purification systems, helping thousands access clean water. Bilal’s innovative charity model reinvests donations into sustainable projects, embodying the March 23 ethos of community upliftment. By 2025, his work has reached over 50,000 people.
Societal ripple effect:
Beyond water access, Tayaba reduces disease and frees youth—especially girls—from fetching water, enabling education and economic participation. It strengthens rural resilience, honoring the Lahore Resolution’s vision of a thriving homeland.
Broader impact: Entrepreneurship as a national movement
These stories form a vibrant mosaic within Pakistan’s startup ecosystem, now boasting over 2,000 ventures by 2025, many youth-led. Initiatives like the Ba-Ikhtiar Project by PTCL and the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund have trained over 500 micro-entrepreneurs since 2023, echoing March 23’s collective spirit.
Economically, startups added $1 billion to Pakistan’s GDP in 2024, per industry estimates. Socially, they challenge norms—gender, regional, and economic—fostering inclusivity. Environmentally, ventures like Aerosync by Neelum Hassan, with solar-powered carts, address sustainability, extending the Lahore Resolution’s promise.
Challenges and the way forward
Yet, obstacles loom: only 5% of startups secure venture capital, 30% of youth lack digital literacy (UNDP), and bureaucracy hampers growth. To fulfill March 23 ideals, Pakistan needs:
- Policy Support: Tax breaks and streamlined regulations.
- Education Reform: Entrepreneurship and digital skills in schools.
- Investment Ecosystem: More angel networks and partnerships.
The Digital Pakistan vision and NICs are promising, but scaling them is critical.
Conclusion: A future rooted in March 23
Pakistan Day 2025 is a moment to celebrate not just the past but the promise of the future—a future being built by its youth. Entrepreneurs like Fatima, Khalida, Umar, and Ali embody the resilience, unity, and ambition of the Lahore Resolution. Their impact—economic growth, social equity, and global recognition—proves that the ideals of March 23 are not relics but living principles guiding Pakistan toward prosperity. As the nation honors its founders, it must invest in its youth, for they are the architects of tomorrow’s Pakistan, crafting a legacy as enduring as the resolution itself.
The author, Nazir Ahmed Shaikh, is a freelance writer, columnist, blogger, and motivational speaker. He writes articles on diversified topics. He can be reached at nazir_shaikh86@hotmail.com