In a major milestone for youth empowerment and technological advancement in Pakistan, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP), Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, officially launched the AI Enterprise Product Program in partnership with Stanford University and the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC). The initiative marks a historic collaboration aimed at preparing Pakistan’s brightest postgraduate students to become leaders in the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) landscape.
The AI Enterprise Product Program is designed to provide top MPhil and PhD students in Computer Science, Information Technology, and related fields with world-class training and certification from Stanford University. The launch event brought together leading educators, policy-makers, international partners, and aspiring AI professionals. The programme is being delivered in collaboration with Y and Obsidian, bringing Silicon Valley’s innovation ecosystem closer to Pakistan’s academic and professional talent.
During his speech at the event, Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan expressed his pride and optimism, stating that it had taken nearly fifteen months of rigorous effort and planning to make this initiative a reality. He acknowledged that, as with many ambitious projects, there was initial hesitation, but the outcome has exceeded expectations. Reflecting on Pakistan’s current economic trajectory, he noted that just a day earlier, Bloomberg had ranked Pakistan as the second fastest-growing emerging economy in the world, adding that “Pakistan is on the move, and our youth are leading the charge.”
He congratulated the students selected for the first cohort of the Stanford certification, calling them pioneers of a new era for Pakistan. “You are going to be the first batch certified by Stanford University under this programme. According to our understanding with our partners Y and Obsidian, each of you is expected to receive a starting salary of at least $60,000 per year, and if you continue to excel, the opportunities will be limitless,” he said. The chairman emphasized that the initiative is not only an educational breakthrough but also a gateway to global job markets for Pakistani youth.
Rana Mashhood also announced a major development aimed at supporting Pakistani workers abroad. He revealed that the government is close to finalizing a new financial inclusion initiative through a digital wallet system for Pakistani workers in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Many workers earning less than 3,000 dirhams or riyals are unable to open bank accounts, forcing them to send remittances through informal or illegal channels. To address this, the PMYP, in collaboration with the Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA), United Bank Limited (UBL), the Ministry of Finance, and the Director General based in Dubai, is launching a digital wallet that will allow legal and secure remittances. Rana Mashhood explained that this system could enable over one billion dollars to be transferred legally to Pakistan, describing it as a “remarkable achievement” that would benefit both workers abroad and the national economy. He acknowledged Mr. ED Latif’s critical role in supporting the digital wallet initiative and recognized the strategic partnerships that made it possible.
He also took a moment to praise the merit-based selection process that identified the high-potential students now set to be certified by Stanford University. With the Stanford team attending the event live via Zoom, the chairman noted that their commitment to partnering with Pakistan reflects growing international confidence in the country’s youth and potential. He said that this is a great start for Pakistan and a clear sign of its ability to participate meaningfully in the global AI economy.
In his closing remarks, Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan reaffirmed the government’s long-term commitment to empowering youth through advanced skills training. He expressed confidence that through partnerships with institutions like Stanford, Y and Obsidian, Pakistan would continue to open new pathways for innovation, employment, and global leadership. “Insha’Allah, we will introduce even more programmes under PMYP that enable our youth to lead the world in technology, development, and excellence,” he said.
The AI Enterprise Product Program will serve as a flagship model for future initiatives that combine academic excellence with practical, high-demand skills. With this launch, Pakistan takes a bold step forward in preparing its youth to compete in and contribute to the rapidly evolving global digital economy.
