National Adolescent and Youth Policy Will Nurture Skills: Rana Mashhood

By Farzana Chaudhry
Lahore
LAHORE: Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan has stated that the upcoming National Adolescent and Youth Policy will focus on nurturing the skills of children and youth according to their interests and aptitudes, with a bold target of increasing Pakistan’s IT exports from the current $2.5 billion to $25 billion within the next four years.
He expressed these views while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the ‘Employment Expo’ organized by the University of the Punjab (PU) in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme at the Law College Ground on Monday.
The event was attended by PU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Ali, Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood, State Bank of Pakistan representative Tariq Riaz, Director Career Counseling and Placement Centre Dr Fouzia Hadi Ali, faculty members, and a large number of students.
In his keynote address, Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan recalled that in 2016, global forecasts had placed Pakistan among the top 30 economies of the world in the coming decades. He highlighted that Pakistan is among the few countries that have formulated a national Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy. He noted that Pakistani youth are making remarkable progress across all sectors, with 800,000 young people registering on the Digital Youth Hub (DYH) portal within just six months.
He described the Digital Youth Hub as a transparent, merit-based employment platform where no recommendation or influence is required. He announced that the National Youth Employment Policy would be formally launched within the next month, with special emphasis on encouraging women’s participation and supporting the establishment of new companies.
Rana Mashhood also referred to Operation ‘Bunyan Marsoos,’ stating that the world now recognizes Pakistan’s technological capabilities. He alleged that attempts were made through fifth-generation warfare to spread despair among Pakistani youth, similar to tactics used in Syria and Libya. When such efforts failed, he said, terrorism was resorted to — citing the recent Islamabad blast as another failed attempt by adversaries. He added, “We consider martyrdom as medals for us.”
On a lighter note, he praised the revival of Basant, describing it not merely as a festival but as a powerful means of connecting all generations. He credited Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz for successfully bridging the generational gap by bringing children and youth closer to their elders through the event.
PU Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Ali said the university is committed to bringing all market sectors under one roof so that youth can understand the types of jobs currently in demand. He mentioned that a recent AI and IT job fair was also organized on campus. He commended Rana Mashhood’s tireless services for the younger generation.
Tariq Riaz of the State Bank of Pakistan highlighted that PU has produced leaders in every field of life. He observed that entrepreneurship is increasingly replacing traditional employment models globally. He stressed that access to financing should never become a barrier to good ideas and underscored that no country can progress without the full inclusion of women. He urged women to play a more active role in the practical and professional fields.
Dr Fouzia Hadi Ali, Director of the Career Counseling and Placement Centre, expressed gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor, government institutions, and all collaborating partners for their support in making the expo a success. She reaffirmed that the centre would continue its efforts to guide and support students in transitioning effectively into the professional world.
The Employment Expo provided students with direct exposure to job opportunities, industry insights, and skill development pathways, aligning with national efforts to empower the youth and boost economic growth through innovation and merit-based progress.