Leadership is one aspect that defines a nation, modifies its future, and certainly alters its present. Politicians have been arguing for long over the way forward for Pakistan.Those in authority — in the present and the past — have promised excessively over their intentions to change Pakistan. The way forward for Pakistan is not in changing the system or by altering economic and foreign policies; it is through shifting the dynamics of leadership. For over six decades, our leaders, whether civilian or military, have tried to put this country back on track. However, some were pulling its leg while other were following Washington’s orders. Pakistan’s way forward, however, is not in the hands of politicians who promise for a better future because what we have is déjà vu in this regard. Pakistan’s way forward is in the hands of the youth who has the ability to share their views, in contrast to politicians who use diplomatic statements to use situations for their own interests. Furthermore, the youth belongs to the educated minority who knows, understands, and respects values, opinions, principles, and standards that can enlighten a society. Furthermore, education, health, and justice are the three key sectors important for a country’s growth. Pakistan, unfortunately, has an outdated education system. What our children learn at schools and colleges does not help them in their life nor in their professional careers. Our educational infrastructure needs revamping to bring a change in the mindsets of the children, making education an inspirational affair while instilling creativity and broadmindedness in them. In addition, the need of the hour is to overhaul the syllabus of the primary classes. Basic management and business courses must be introduced in intermediate (pre-medical and pre-engineering), which are already taught in O/A levels and Intermediate (Commerce). Making courses such as finance, accounting, economics, and management compulsory in Intermediate (pre-medical and pre-engineering) will help students understand the trends and developments of the professional world, and support them while doing their BBA or B.Com. Normally, pre-engineering/pre-medical students face difficulties when studying BBA/B.Com as they find difficulty grasping business management courses. The second aspect is health. Unawareness along with illiteracy increases health issues, and lack of doctors further aggravates the situation. Our medical colleges and universities do produce doctors, but they prefer working in the city and refrain from working in villages. Many of them choose to move abroad for medicine is a lucrative profession in the USA and Canada. The third aspect is justice, which is scarce in our country. Our system has taken up corrupt practices for they are the easy way out. Therefore, corruption and malpractices have become a norm. Because of a high illiteracy rate, the uneducated masses cannot receive opportunities for better education. However, their services can be of use to the country’s growth if they receive vocational training. Government should promote institutes providing vocational training to benefit the skilled workforce, which can serve the country and become breadwinners for their families. Courses including auto electrician, carpentry, die-making, pattern-making craft, plumbing, refrigeration repair, typing, air conditioning repair, and woodwork should be part of the syllabus at such vocational training institutes. Education also provides the vision for growth. Every state department in Pakistan is busy making plans; however, the authorities fail during the implementation phase. Effective planning requires an open-minded approach where all participants explicitly discuss all aspects along with the possible outcomes. In my opinion, a team of entrepreneurs should monitor all government institutions as they have a clear idea of how to make, implement and measure plans. With planning, comes research. Unfortunately, research and development do not receive its due share in Pakistan. Research and development bring innovation in industries; it makes way for doctors, engineers, scientists and professionals from different fields to examine and explore various topics or fields of study. It helps them disseminate information, create awareness, publish their findings, recommendations, and results, so their respective industry can function better. Pakistan is in a dire need of entrepreneurs, researchers, scientists, and professors who can spread progressiveness among the masses. We need entrepreneurs to establish industries in Pakistan, establish businesses, and generate employment opportunities. Pakistan has the potential to earn its status as a developed country if everyone adheres to their duties. We have the resources, the skilled labour, dedicated youth, and the passion for moving forward. What we need are loyal leaders, in the government and in every public and private organisation, who work diligently for the growth of Pakistan instead of protecting their stakes. The writer is a freelance columnist