Govt committed to empowering youth: PM

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

In a message marking International Youth Day, observed on August 12, the prime minister said Pakistan’s young population represented 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 social media platform X.

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

The prime minister noted that this year’s International Youth Day was being observed under the theme “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations”, which, he said, highlighted that although young people around the world lived in diverse circumstances, their dreams and hopes for a better future remained similar.

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.

My government remains… pic.twitter.com/wAFS1rNqpY

— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) August 12, 2026

“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 ensuring 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 the demands of the contemporary world, as well as technical and vocational training, employment opportunities, entrepreneurship, industrial development, digital innovation and social inclusion.

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

He said the objective was to equip young people with the capabilities needed to compete internationally and contribute to Pakistan’s development.

Scholarships, laptops and internships

Shehbaz highlighted several initiatives aimed at providing talented students with opportunities in education, information technology, technical fields and artificial intelligence.

These included 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 (PMYSDP), saying it was working to develop a talented and skilled workforce.

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

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif's Message on International Youth Day 12 August 2026.

Pakistan joins the international community in observing International Youth Day and pays tribute to our talented youth for their immense potential, vibrant energy, and positive… pic.twitter.com/4GpE6ievAO

— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) August 12, 2026

According to the prime minister, the institution was taking measures to equip Pakistani workers with qualifications recognised internationally and skills aligned with the requirements of industry.

PM urges youth to serve nation

In his message to 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 a renewed national resolve to work together for Pakistan’s development and prosperity, saying young people had an important role to play 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.