Skill development vital to empower youth for prosperous future: PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday reaffirmed his government’s commitment to youth empowerment, emphasising the importance of partnerships, entrepreneurship, and education to secure a prosperous future for the Commonwealth.

Addressing the inaugural session of the Commonwealth Asia Youth Alliance summit, he stressed the need to make youth central to governance and decision-making processes. “By fostering partnerships, supporting entrepreneurship, and prioritizing education and skills development, we can ensure the future lies in the hands of an empowered young generation,” the PM stated.

Welcoming delegates from several nations, Shehbaz Sharif highlighted Pakistan’s role as a founding Commonwealth member, calling it a vital platform for consensus-building and collaboration.

He noted that over 60% of the Commonwealth’s population is under 30, making youth empowerment crucial for a peaceful and prosperous future. In Pakistan, where 70 per cent of the population falls below 30 years of age, the potential for development is immense, he added.

The prime minister outlined his government’s initiatives for youth empowerment, including the Youth Program, Punjab Education Endowment Fund, and the Daanish Schools system, which has now expanded to remote areas like Islamabad, Azad Kashmir, and Balochistan.

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During his tenure as Punjab chief minister, over 600,000 laptops were distributed to high-achieving students, aiding distance learning during COVID-19. A fresh program for distributing laptops to deserving students from Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir is also underway.

Encouraging youth to contribute to nation-building, PM Shehbaz said, “Dream boldly, act courageously, and work tirelessly. You are the pioneers of our future.”

The session concluded with the prime minister administering the oath to the newly formed National Youth Council and awarding high achievers.