‘Vision 2047 envisages placing youth at centre of national development’

LAHORE: Prime Minister’s Vision 2047 envisaged placing youth at the centre of national development and, for the first time, young people would be directly involved in policy-making, Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) Chairman, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, said.

While addressing the Health and Education Summit Pakistan (HESP) 2026 at Expo Centre here on Saturday, Rana said the government was pursuing a comprehensive youth-focused agenda aimed at creating employment opportunities, developing skills, promoting entrepreneurship and connecting Pakistani youth with international education and research networks.

He stressed that Pakistan now needed long-term planning and sustainable policies as the country would complete 100 years of its establishment in 2047. “Political differences have their own place, but Pakistan’s future is linked with its youth,” he added.

“The government was striving to create an enabling environment for young people to enter the job market and set a target of ensuring 35 per cent participation of women in youth employment every year,” Rana said, adding, “Efforts are underway to ensure registration of 10 per cent youth in new companies annually.”

Federal and Provincial Ministers, experts and others also spoke on the occasion. PMYP chairman said Pakistan’s first National Youth Employment Policy had already been launched, while the first National Youth Policy had received Cabinet approval. He said the government was also working on the country’s first e-Sports Policy, which would cover game development, information technology and artificial intelligence.

According to him, game development and related sectors had emerged as a multi-billion-dollar global industry and Pakistan’s youth could benefit significantly from opportunities in IT, AI and e-sports.

Rana said suggestions and ideas would be sought from youth and relevant institutions across the country over the next six months.

He said the government’s objective was not merely to formulate policies but to ensure their practical implementation and tangible benefits for the people.

He highlighted the importance of international academic cooperation, saying agreements had been signed with 50 Chinese universities and more than 70 Chinese technical education institutions.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026