A delegation of British Council called on Muhammad Usman Dar, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Youth Affairs here at PM Office today. The delegation included Adrian Timothy Neil Chadwick, Regional Director South Asia, Amir Hussain Ramzan Country Director Pakistan and Shazia Khawar Regional Director Society South Asia.
Welcoming the delegates, Mr. Dar said that the present government has launched a landmark initiative for financial inclusion of youth through small and medium size loans along with skills development programme, especially in emerging fields. He said that huge investments in youth are made to capitalize on the enormous potential of the country. "Pakistan has never witnessed this number of youth population in its entire history. We want our youth to be job providers instead of merely seeking employment after getting academic degrees", emphasized Mr. Dar.
Briefing the meeting on various initiatives taken under the umbrella of PM Kamyab Jawan Programme, SAPM said that his government is focused to promote the culture of Enterprenuership in the country. He said that financial support, imparting relevant skills and mentorship will enable youth to successfully launch their businesses. Mr. Dar welcomed the DICE fellowship programme offered by the British Council for grooming young entrepreneurs in Pakistan.
Adrian Timothy Neil Chadwick said that he was very happy and pleased to know about the initiative of PM Kamyab Jawan Programme for Youth in Pakistan. He further said that British Council would support this initiative for optimization of its results for the youth. He added that youth is a true agent of change and investments made in them will obviously pay back the society.
Amir Hussain Ramzan said that British Council assists the government's prioratised areas in view to avoid wastage of resources and is therefore willing to extend all possible support to PM Kamyab Jawan Programme.
Mr. Dar emphasized that his government has prioratised youth as key area of intervention; considering the fact that about 68% of the population is comprised of youth. He further said that for the first time in the country's history National Youth Development Framework was prepared as guide for undertaking youth related measures in addition to forming a youth representative body called National Youth Council.
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