Maryam Shah
ISLAMABAD, Oct 23 (APP): In a world rapidly shaped by technology and innovation, Pakistan’s youth are finally being placed at the heart of digital transformation. Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, in collaboration with UNICEF, has taken appreciable and major steps to expand the Digital Youth Hub, an all-in-one online platform designed to empower young citizens through education, employment, entrepreneurship, and engagement.
This initiative, launched under the Youth Affairs Wing of the Prime Minister’s Office, is not just another government project,it is an ecosystem of empowerment, bridging the gap between potential and opportunity. By turning fragmented youth schemes into one unified digital system, the Digital Youth Hub ensures that every young Pakistani whether from the mountains of Gilgit-Baltistan or the streets of Karachi get equal access to learning and earning resources.
At its core, the Hub enables youth to apply for business loans, access training programs, seek mentorship, and explore global scholarships ,all with transparency and efficiency. With UNICEF’s partnership, the platform now focuses deeply on digital inclusion, psychological well-being, and capacity development, encouraging young people to become confident, creative, and connected citizens of a global digital community.
Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, a strong advocate for youth-led progress, believes that Pakistan’s development story must be written by its young generation. “Our youth are not a challenge to manage,they are a force to empower,” he stated. His leadership has turned PMYP into a modernized, technology-driven programme that reflects not only governmental commitment but also a national awakening toward inclusive growth.
Under his direction, PMYP has introduced AI based guidance systems that help applicants identify programs matching their skills and aspirations. A real-time digital monitoring dashboard tracks progress, ensuring accountability and transparency. Meanwhile, collaboration with UNICEF adds a layer of global insight, incorporating international best practices in digital literacy and youth innovation.
UNICEF representatives have lauded Pakistan’s Digital Youth Hub as a model for participatory governance, where technology meets empathy and youth are treated as partners, not beneficiaries. Their joint initiatives are introducing youth innovation labs, digital literacy modules, and leadership workshops designed to prepare the next generation for the challenges of the 21st century.
The collaboration stands out for its holistic approach, reaching far beyond technology to nurture social awareness, volunteerism, and community engagement. It motivates young Pakistanis to take an active role in national development, blending education with employability and innovation with inclusion. Through this synergy, the Digital Youth Hub transforms digital access into tangible social and economic progress, making empowerment a shared national mission.
Observers across the development sector are calling it a turning point in Pakistan’s youth policy framework.Digtal Youth Hub is a model where vision, technology, and collaboration converge.
As the Digital Youth Hub continues to grow under the stewardship of Rana Mashhood and the support of UNICEF, it stands as a symbol of hope and modern leadership proving that when youth are trusted, trained, and connected, they don’t just seek opportunities but create them as well.