Islamabad: International Youth Day is celebrated around the world to recognize the importance of our young population and raise awareness that they are the key to our future.
Young individuals across the country are catalysts for transformation. This year’s theme, “From Clicks to Progress: Digital Youth Pathways to Sustainable Development,” highlights the critical position of youth at the critical juncture where technology intersects with opportunity. This intersection enables them to turn their aspirations into tangible results and pave the way for a sustainable and just future.
With over 60% of its population under the age of 30, Pakistan boasts a youthful demographic that is increasingly connected to the global digital landscape. By using technology for education, entrepreneurship and social activism, young people can become agents of positive change in their communities.
Our government is committed to fostering a supportive environment for our youth. In 2013, we introduced a loan and agriculture program for young people, which is now delivering significant results. To date, we have disbursed approximately 186 billion rupees to over 280,000 young entrepreneurs, creating a wealth of employment opportunities across the country. Our loan program for young entrepreneurs was restructured during our administration to include agricultural loans and we also mandated microfinance institutions to provide interest-free loans.
Looking ahead, we aim to expand the scope of this initiative with plans to allocate an additional 100 billion rupees during the financial year 2024-2025, empowering around 300,000 young entrepreneurs across the country.
Our comprehensive youth program takes a holistic approach, equipping young people with basic skills through a skills development programme, providing advanced technology through the Youth Laptop Scheme and offering financial support through our youth loan schemes. This comprehensive support framework ensures that our youth have the necessary resources to achieve success and prosperity.
The youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow and therefore hold the key to shaping a brighter future for our country. As Pakistan navigates its future, youth empowerment through meaningful opportunities will not only foster individual growth but also contribute to the country’s broader social and economic development.
