Pakistan is to introduce its first ever new and holistic National Youth and Adolescent Policy under the leadership of Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, says Chairman of the Prime Minister's youth programme Rana Masood. He expressed these views during a visit to the Chief Secretary Office KPK for Consultation on National Adolescent and Youth Policy (NYAP). He expressed his gratitude to the Chief Secretary KP Mr. Shahab Ali Shah for bringing together key officials to deliberate on this vital national initiative. Emphasizing the importance of unity, he stated that “social and national cohesion is the need of the hour for Pakistan.” The Chairman highlighted that Pakistan’s economy is showing growth, opening new windows of opportunity for its citizens. In this context, he stressed that mobilizing the youth to benefit from these emerging prospects is crucial. He noted that the federal government is committed to a consultative approach in developing the National Adolescent and Youth Policy. This includes engaging all provinces and incorporating input from diverse segments of the youth population. He shared that on March 26, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the Digital Youth Hub, a one-window platform for education, employment, engagement, and Environment related initiatives for Pakistani youth. He also announced that under this initiative, 100,000 to 150,000 skilled youth will be sent abroad to enhance their prospects and contribute to Pakistan’s growth. To support this effort, the Government of Pakistan is aiming to increase the TEVTA budget from Rs. 12 billion to Rs. 160 billion to enhance youth training in key skill areas. The Chairman mentioned that the government is upgrading courses offered by NAVTTC and TEVTA to align with global standards. Youth will be trained in modern skills including blogging, e-marketing, web development, and more. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has been tasked with developing new skill-based programs. Chairman Mashood requested the officials to actively encourage female inclusion in all technical and vocational training for equitable and inclusive development. The Chairman also shared that under the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP), the government is scouting talent for 23 different sports, including e-sports, recognizing its vast potential in game and software development. He emphasized that the government intends to promote ethical training through gaming and game development platforms. Furthermore, Rana Mashood stated that NYAP policy aims to address a wide range of youth-related challenges, including health, nutrition, poverty alleviation, social inclusion, unemployment, and countering negative sentiments among the youth. For the development of the Adolescent and Youth Policy, the Chairman revealed that consultations will be conducted in 25 cities across Pakistan, covering not just universities and colleges but also vocational institutions and grassroots youth segments. The aim is to gather input from 50,000 to 60,000 individuals, ensuring the policy is inclusive and representative of all perspectives. He added that KPK was chosen as the first province to be consulted as it has launched its own youth policy back in 2016. “We are here to learn from each other,” he stated. A presentation was delivered to KPK officials, outlining that the National Adolescent and Youth Policy is structured around the 4 Es: Education, Employment, Environment, and Engagement. A dedicated task force has been formed to guide the policy’s development and ensure its effective implementation. KP officials ensured their full support to the federal government, assuring collaboration for the successful development and implementation of the NAYP. Both sides concluded by reaffirming their commitment to empowering Pakistan’s youth and leveraging their potential for national progress and economic development. Key officials present from the KPK side included Shahid Sohail, Secretary Information; Mansoor Qaiser, MD KPITB; Khalid Dad, Additional Secretary Labour; Nazar Shah, Secretary Social Welfare and Zakat; M. Zia, Secretary Sports and Youth; along with several other senior officials.
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