In a significant step towards empowering Pakistan’s youth and promoting inclusive development, the Prime Minister’s Youth Program conducted a Consultative Session on the National Adolescent and Youth Policy at the Institute of Management Sciences (IM Sciences), Peshawar. The session was led by Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Chairman of the Prime Minister's Youth Program, and attended by students, faculty members, religious scholars, and key stakeholders from various sectors. During his comprehensive and passionate address, Rana Mashhood emphasized the pivotal role of the youth in nation-building. He stated that despite the historical challenges faced by Pakistan, today’s youth hold the power to transform the country’s future. He noted the resilience of the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the face of terrorism, climate change, and economic challenges and praised their determination to move forward with hope and strength. He stressed that Pakistan was created with a vision of equality, unity, and opportunity, and today, the nation must return to those founding principles. Referring to the global and regional challenges faced by countries like Syria, Iraq, and Palestine, he underlined the importance of unity and inclusive development to prevent internal discord and ensure national progress. A key focus of the address was the launch of Pakistan’s first National Adolescent and Youth Policy, developed through wide-scale consultation and inclusive planning. Rana Mashhood announced a 26-city youth engagement tour aimed at involving youth from all walks of life—including university students, technical workers, madrassa students, and out-of-school youth—in policy development and implementation. He highlighted key initiatives under the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, aimed at empowering young Pakistanis through targeted support and opportunities. These include the Digital Youth Hub, a comprehensive online platform offering scholarships, internships, job listings, and personalized career guidance; the largest-ever national effort to expand technical and vocational training, preparing youth for global employment markets; the National Employment Policy, which aligns federal and provincial strategies to guarantee decent work opportunities; and a firm commitment to girls’ education, underscored by Pakistan’s international agreements with OIC nations to ensure that no child is denied education due to a lack of resources. Rana Mashhood also emphasized the integration of madrassas into the national mainstream, praising the foundational education provided by these institutions. He called for the rejection of any narrative that creates divisions within the Pakistani society, stressing that unity, discipline, and faith are essential to progress. He concluded with an impassioned appeal to the youth to rise as ambassadors of peace, education, and progress, stating, “The world fears your potential—show them that Pakistan's flag is held high by a united, educated, and visionary youth.” The event ended with the resounding slogan "Pakistan Zindabad".
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