ISLAMABAD – President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have declared Pakistan’s youth an invaluable national asset and the primary architects of the country’s bright future, emphasizing that unlocking their potential is the single most critical pathway to a prosperous, peaceful, and strong nation.
In separate messages marking World Youth Day, the nation’s top leadership outlined a unified vision centered on education, skills development, and economic empowerment, framing the country’s demographic dividend as its greatest hope.
A Demographic Powerhouse
President Zardari paid a stirring tribute to the energy, creativity, and determination of young Pakistanis. He underscored a defining national statistic: approximately 67 percent of Pakistan’s population is under the age of 30, making the youth the country’s single largest human capital resource. The president argued that empowering this segment is not a policy option but a fundamental investment in the nation’s survival and growth.
“Empowering young people is, in fact, an investment in Pakistan’s future,” Zardari stated, highlighting that access to quality education, dignified employment, and opportunities for innovation are the common aspirations of this generation. He placed a specific emphasis on the critical need to promote the potential and leadership of young women, calling it essential for the country’s social and economic development.
Government Initiatives and a Call for Values
The president pointed to the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme as a key vehicle for delivering opportunities in education, skills, employment, and entrepreneurship. He urged the youth to anchor their ambition in strong ethical principles, adopting the values of honesty, compassion, and tolerance while playing an active role in national development. He expressed an unwavering resolve that the construction of a strong, inclusive, and prosperous Pakistan is possible only through the full participation of its young people.
Shared Dreams, Shared Responsibilities
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s message echoed this sentiment, framing it within the global context of World Youth Day’s theme, “Different Circumstances, Shared Aspirations.” He noted that the theme reflects a powerful reality: although young people around the world live in vastly different conditions, they share common dreams and a unified desire for a brighter future.
Shehbaz Sharif lauded Pakistan’s young population for bringing pride to the country on both national and international stages across diverse fields. He asserted that his government is prioritizing the use of all available resources for the mental, physical, intellectual, and academic development of young people.
Skilling the Workforce for Tomorrow
The prime minister detailed a commitment to empowering youth through a comprehensive ecosystem of modern education, technical and professional skills, employment, business opportunities, digital innovation, and social inclusion. He highlighted the operationalization of specific programs designed to build a workforce ready for the challenges of the future.
- The Prime Minister’s Youth Skill Development Programme is actively working to prepare a talented and skilled workforce.
- The National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) has been further activated on a priority basis to provide professional training aligned with international standards.
Shehbaz Sharif concluded with a direct appeal to the nation’s young people, urging them to continue working hard with honesty, responsibility, and a spirit of service to the country. He affirmed that the development of youth is the unconditional guarantee of sustainable national progress and a luminous future.
