ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s young population is more than just a demographic figure it is one of the country’s greatest opportunities for the future.
On World Youth Day, August 12, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for greater investment in young people, stressing that their education, skills, creativity and participation are vital to building a stronger, peaceful and prosperous Pakistan.
President Zardari, in his message, paid tribute to the country’s youth and described their energy, creativity and determination as valuable national assets. He noted that around 67 percent of Pakistan’s population is under 30, making young people the country’s largest pool of human capital.
The president said empowering youth was effectively an investment in Pakistan’s future. He highlighted quality education, dignified employment and opportunities for innovation as key priorities, while stressing that greater support for young women’s leadership was essential for the country’s social and economic development.
Zardari said the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme was providing opportunities in education, skills development, employment and entrepreneurship. He urged young Pakistanis to embrace honesty, compassion and tolerance and play an active role in the country’s development.
He said the vision of a strong, inclusive and prosperous Pakistan could only be achieved through the full participation of its younger generation.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his message, said World Youth Day was being observed this year under the theme “Different Circumstances, Shared Aspirations.”
He said the theme reflected how young people across the world may face different circumstances but share common hopes and ambitions for a better future.
The prime minister said Pakistani youth had repeatedly brought recognition to the country through their achievements in different fields at home and abroad. He added that the government was focusing on the mental, physical, intellectual and academic development of young people.
Shehbaz said the government was working to expand opportunities for modern education, technical and professional training, employment, entrepreneurship, digital innovation and social inclusion.
The prime minister highlighted the Prime Minister’s Youth Skill Development Programme, saying it was helping prepare a skilled workforce equipped for modern economic demands.
He also said the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) had been activated on a priority basis to provide professional training in line with international standards.
Shehbaz urged young people to continue working with honesty, responsibility and dedication while contributing to society and the country.
He described youth development as a key pillar of sustainable national progress, stressing that Pakistan’s long-term prosperity depends on how effectively it develops and harnesses the potential of its younger generation.
