‘PurAzm Pakistan’ launched to expand economic opportunities for youth

ISLAMABAD: The government on Thursday launched PurAzm Pakistan, a national platform designed to expand access to skills, employment, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunities for the Pakistani youth.

The drive is being implemented through the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP), in collaboration with UNICEF and Generation Unlimited (GenU).

“Pakistan’s young people represent the country’s greatest strength and opportunity,” said Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme. “Through PurAzm, we are building a coordinated national system that connects education, skills, and employment. This reflects our commitment to ensuring that every young person can access meaningful pathways to opportunity and contribute to national growth and prosperity.”

Pakistan is home to one of the world’s largest youth populations, with nearly 67 per cent of its population under age 30. Yet an estimated 32 million young people are not in education, employment, or training. PurAzm Pakistan seeks to address this challenge by bringing together government, the private sector, development partners, and young people to expand pathways to skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship, particularly for girls and young people from underserved communities.

“Pakistan has a historic opportunity to turn its youth population into a powerful demographic dividend by enabling pathways from learning to earning at scale,” said Pernille Ironside, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan. “PurAzm Pakistan is a transformative step towards building the systems and partnerships needed to expand skills and economic opportunity for all young people, especially those facing the greatest barriers.”

The launch also marked the establishment of Friends of GenU Pakistan, a platform that brings together businesses committed to investing in the future of Pakistan’s young people. Through partnerships that support skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation, and work-based learning, the platform will help expand opportunities for young people to successfully transition from education to employment.

“PurAzm Pakistan and Friends of GenU Pakistan demonstrate how government, business, and young people can come together to build a scalable model for skills, entrepreneurship, and employment, positioning the country as a global leader in unlocking youth potential for inclusive economic growth,” said Kevin Frey, Chief Executive Officer of Generation Unlimited.

The launch featured a Learn-to-Earn Marketplace, showcasing youth-led enterprises, innovations, and entrepreneurship solutions from across Pakistan, highlighting the talent, creativity, and potential of young people.

A high-level dialogue on “Bridging Ambition and Opportunity” brought together policymakers, private sector leaders, and young people to explore pathways to digital employment, green economy opportunities, skills reform, and entrepreneurship.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026