ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program Rana Mashhood has announced plans to expand the Youth Loan Program and increase the IT industry’s growth from 15 to 25 percent in the coming years as per the vision of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.
While addressing a Press Conference in Islamabad on Thursday, Rana Mashood mentioned that initiatives like e-employment and Daanish Schools, introduced during Shahbaz Sharif’s tenure as Chief Minister of Punjab, will be expanded nationwide under the Danish Authority in Gilgit-Baltistan, Kashmir, Balochistan, and Sindh.
The aim is to empower Pakistani youth through investment programs in IT skills training courses and other upcoming initiatives, he said.
Rana Mashhood stated that out of Pakistan’s 240 million population, 70 percent are young people. Among them, those under 30 years old make up 170 million of the population. This youth bulge needs to be guided in the right direction and provided with a platform to engage in positive activities, he added.
The Chairman emphasized the importance of instilling confidence in the youth, assuring them that hard work will be rewarded based on merit, whether in education, sports, technology, or skills development.
Rana Mashhood said that efforts are underway to provide dignified employment opportunities locally and internationally through modern skills development courses for young individuals.
The Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Program stressed the importance of e-gaming in the digital era, highlighting its potential as a billion-dollar industry and acknowledging the achievements of Pakistani youth in this field.
The Youth Festival in Punjab showcased the talent and capabilities of young individuals in sports.
The Prime Minister’s Youth Talent Hunt program was initiated to nurture talent across 12 different sports disciplines.
Rana Mashhood said that promising athletes identified through talent hunt leagues and national games will receive training in collaboration with Olympic Associations to participate in international sports events.
To promote Pakistan’s culture, support will be provided for local art and craft to gain recognition both nationally and internationally.
Furthermore, he said that the tourism sector is being focused on as an industry that could potentially generate US$10 to US$15 billion annually.
The Chairman also said that projects are underway to enhance tourism experiences including launching tourist double-decker buses on scenic routes in Islamabad to showcase Pakistan’s civilization and culture to visitors from around the world.
