PM Shehbaz reaffirms commitment to empowering Pakistan’s youth

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to empowering Pakistan’s youth through education, skills development, employment opportunities and entrepreneurship, describing young people as the driving force behind the country’s progress and prosperity.

In a message marking International Youth Day on August 12, the prime minister said Pakistan’s young population was an invaluable national asset whose creativity, energy and determination were contributing to progress across various sectors.

“On International Youth Day, we celebrate the energy, talent and resolve of Pakistan’s youth. Our young people are the driving force of Pakistan’s progress and prosperity, with their innovation and leadership shaping a brighter future for our nation,” Shehbaz said in a statement posted on X.

He said the government remained committed to expanding opportunities in education, skills development and entrepreneurship so that every young Pakistani could realise their full potential.

The prime minister said this year’s International Youth Day was being observed under the theme “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations”, highlighting that although young people around the world lived in different circumstances, their hopes and aspirations for a better future remained common.

“Our youth are an invaluable national asset and the promising driving force for our bright future,” he said, adding that young Pakistanis had brought laurels to the country through their achievements at national and international levels.

Focus on education, skills and employment

Shehbaz said the intellectual, physical, mental and academic development of young people through effective utilisation of national resources remained among the government’s key priorities.

He said the government was working to empower young people through modern and quality education aligned with contemporary requirements, technical and vocational training, employment opportunities, entrepreneurship, industrial development, digital innovation and social inclusion.

The prime minister said these policy initiatives were being supplemented with practical measures aimed at helping young Pakistanis align their abilities, skills and professional competencies with international standards.

He said the objective was to equip young people with the capabilities required to compete internationally while contributing to Pakistan’s economic and social development.

Scholarships, laptops and internships

Shehbaz highlighted various initiatives designed to provide talented students with opportunities in education, information technology, technical fields and artificial intelligence.

These initiatives include scholarship programmes, laptop distribution schemes and paid internships for students, he said.

The prime minister also highlighted the Prime Minister’s Youth Skill Development Programme, saying it was helping develop a talented and skilled workforce.

He said the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) had also been strengthened to provide internationally recognised certifications and world-class professional and technical training.

According to Shehbaz, measures were being taken to equip Pakistani workers with internationally recognised qualifications and skills aligned with industry requirements.

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PM urges youth to serve nation

Addressing young Pakistanis, Shehbaz urged them to continue working hard with honesty, responsibility and a spirit of service to the country.

“The sustainable development and bright future of our country are intrinsically linked to the progress of our youth,” he said.

The prime minister called for renewed national resolve to work collectively for Pakistan’s development and prosperity, saying young people had a vital role in building a peaceful, strong and prosperous country.

He said the government wanted Pakistan to become a country that guaranteed a bright future for all segments of society, particularly its youth.