FAISALABAD, Jun 11 (APP):Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Program (PMYM) Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan on Thursday said that empowering young people through modern technology, artificial intelligence, digital innovation and merit-based opportunities was imperative to transform Pakistan into a globally competitive nation and the youth should equip themselves with skills and leadership qualities to drive future development of the country. Addressing the “Future Youth Leaders Conference 2026” organized by Volunteer Force Pakistan …
Youth can propel Pakistan into global leadership through technology and merit: Rana Mashhood
FAISALABAD, Jun 11 (APP):Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Program (PMYM) Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan on Thursday said that empowering young people through modern technology, artificial intelligence, digital innovation and merit-based opportunities was imperative to transform Pakistan into a globally competitive nation and the youth should equip themselves with skills and leadership qualities to drive future development of the country.
Addressing the “Future Youth Leaders Conference 2026” organized by Volunteer Force Pakistan (VFP) at Riphah International College Faisalabad, he said that Pakistan’s youth constituted the country’s greatest asset and the strongest guarantee of a prosperous future.
He said that the government was taking practical steps to connect young people with emerging technologies, the digital economy and international opportunities so they could become active contributors to national progress.
Rana Mashhood said that determined, skilled and disciplined youth had the potential not only to transform their own lives but also to place Pakistan among the ranks of developed nations.
He said that the Prime Minister’s Youth Program had introduced the vision of “Kal Kay Qaed” in 2011 with the objective of preparing young people for leadership, character-building and national service.
He said that every success story begins with self-accountability and a firm commitment to personal goals. When young people pursue their ambitions with dedication, hard work and consistency, their achievements contribute to the development and prosperity of the entire nation, he added.
PMYP Chairman said that the world was rapidly moving into an era dominated by artificial intelligence and digitalization, and Pakistan was actively working on comprehensive policies and strategies aligned with these emerging trends.
The government could provide opportunities, platforms and resources, but it was ultimately responsibility of the youth to make the best use of those opportunities, he added.
Referring to the national leadership, he said that effective cooperation between Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif had strengthened Pakistan’s international image and enhanced prestige of the country’s green passport.
He said that Pakistan was increasingly being viewed positively around the world in terms of technology, investment and human resources, creating greater international opportunities for young people.
He said that the government had set a target of empowering 2.1 million youth through various programs, projects and initiatives during the current year.
The efforts were also underway to create 1.8 million new employment opportunities following improvements in peace and stability, while nearly 2 million young people would be provided training in modern and market-driven skills, he added.
Highlighting climate change as one of the major challenges of the contemporary world, he said that various sectors such as the green economy, environmental protection, disaster management and sustainable development offered immense opportunities for youth engagement.
He urged young people to acquire relevant skills so they could convert environmental challenges into economic opportunities.
The government was committed to provide equal opportunities to youth belonging to all regions and segments of the society, ensuring that no talented individual was left behind in the national development journey, he added.
Chairman PMYP encouraged young people to complete their registration on the Digital Youth Hub, where they could gain access to education, employment, training and other opportunities purely on merit without recommendations or favoritism.
He said that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah firmly believed in merit and competence while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was also striving to promote meritocracy as a means of bringing positive change to the lives of young people and steering the country towards prosperity.
Addressing the youth directly, he said that both the present and future of Pakistan rested in their hands. He urged them to sharpen their abilities and play an active role in nation-building.
He further stressed the importance of developing leadership qualities among young people and said that the conference aimed to familiarize participants with emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, the digital economy, the green economy and other areas vital to national development while preparing them to meet future challenges effectively.
President Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI) Farooq Yousaf Sheikh, religious and political leader Kashif Nawaz Randhawa, Chairman Association of Private Schools Khalid Hayat Kamoka, PMYP Special Representative Asfandyar, VFP President Usman Raza, Executive Director Riphah College Barrister Danish Imtiaz, CEO Mateen Group of Companies Sohaib Mateen, Conference Director Amina Khokhar and a large number of youth and representatives from different walks of life also attended the conference.
