140 selected interns from 62 universities begin their research and policy training journey at PIDE
Islamabad, July 08, 2026 : The Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) welcomed its Internship Cohort 2026 at PIDE Islamabad, marking the beginning of a structured orientation and five-day training program for young university students and graduates interested in economics, public policy, data science, management sciences, and information technology.Speaking at the opening session, Dr Nadeem Javaid (SI), Vice Chancellor, PIDE and Member, Planning Commission, linked the internship program with Pakistan’s broader development ambition under URAAN Pakistan, calling for a national journey towards a trillion-dollar economy by 2035. He emphasized that Pakistan stands at a critical crossroads and must address deep-rooted challenges, including the youth bulge, weak export performance, low human capital, climate vulnerability, energy constraints, social disparities, policy discontinuity, and fiscal pressures through evidence-based and people-centred policymaking. Dr Nadeem Javaid stressed that Pakistan’s development challenge is not merely economic, but also a human development emergency.
He noted that countries which invested in education, skills, population management, female workforce participation, and export competitiveness moved ahead, while weak education outcomes continue to limit Pakistan’s growth potential. He urged the young interns to think critically and contribute ideas that can support national transformation, improved governance, and real policy impact. According to Dr Faheem Jehangir, Dean (Policy Advocacy), the PIDE Internship Program 2026 received an impressive response from across Pakistan and abroad, with 4,883 applications submitted. Following a rigorous selection process involving 14 interview panels, 278 candidates were shortlisted, and 140 interns were finally selected for placement across 14 research centres, technical sections, and PSDP projects. The cohort represents 62 universities, with participation from Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Federal Area, AJK, Gilgit-Baltistan, and foreign participants. The orientation session was also addressed by PIDE’s senior leadership, including Dr Nasir Iqbal, Professor/Registrar, PIDE; Dr Karim Khan, Dean (Academics); Dr Shujaat Farooq, Dean (Research); Dr Syed Hasanat Shah, Executive Director (Centre of Excellence for CPEC); and Dr Nadeem Ahmed Khan, Director (Executive Development Centre). The speakers introduced interns to PIDE’s structure, research, academic, policy advocacy and outreach, CPEC, and professional training ecosystem.
Welcoming the interns, PIDE’s management emphasized that informed ideas lead to better policies, and better policies lead to a stronger sustainable future. Through this program, PIDE aims to connect young talent with real policy questions, expose interns to evidence-based research, and equip them with analytical, writing, communication, and professional skills needed to contribute to Pakistan’s development sector.
