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ISLAMABAD, Jan 09 (APP):Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan on Friday lauded the humanitarian work of Muslim Hands’ Open Kitchen in Hounslow during his official UK visit.
Chief PMYP said the initiative is strengthening Pakistan’s global image by promoting compassion, community service and youth leadership through direct engagement with volunteers, institutions and the Pakistani diaspora.
Rana Mashhood visited the Muslim Hands Open Kitchen as part of his meetings with British institutions, Pakistani organisations and youth communities to promote humanitarian cooperation, youth empowerment, innovation and positive international partnerships, said a press release.
Addressing volunteers, Rana Mashhood said that although such initiatives may appear modest in scale, their impact is far-reaching.
He added that the Open Kitchen has become a symbol of overseas Pakistanis’ commitment to serving humanity while projecting a responsible and caring image of Pakistan across the United Kingdom and Europe.
He paid tribute to Muslim Hands for maintaining uninterrupted humanitarian services, noting that their consistency has earned recognition from national and international organisations as well as the British government.
Chairman PMYP said compassion, dignity and service are Pakistan’s strongest tools of soft power and community welfare projects carry greater credibility than formal campaigns.
Interacting with youth volunteers, many of whom study at leading UK universities, Rana Mashhood described them as Pakistan’s ambassadors abroad. He said the country’s future depends on the energy, ideas and commitment of its youth, particularly those living overseas who connect Pakistan with global communities.
He briefed participants on the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, explaining that it is structured around the Four-S framework: Education, Employment, Engagement and Environment.
He said the initiative aims to empower Pakistan’s youth population, which constitutes nearly 70 percent of the country.
The Chairman highlighted flagship schemes including the Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Programme, under which over 600,000 laptops have been distributed nationwide to promote digital learning.
Rana Mashhood also mentioned Punjab Educational Endowment Fund scholarships that support deserving students.
He outlined youth skills initiatives focusing on artificial intelligence, data science, blockchain and emerging technologies, stressing that Pakistan’s next decade depends on preparing young people for a competitive digital economy.
Addressing the diaspora, he cited the Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme, through which more than PKR 64.4 billion has been provided to over 120,000 young entrepreneurs, with priority for women, agriculture, SMEs, overseas employment and technology start-ups.
He urged Pakistani youth in the UK to mentor start-ups in Pakistan, share international expertise and contribute to research and innovation partnerships.
Rana Mashhood also referred to youth engagement platforms such as the Prime Minister’s National Youth Council and the PM Digital Youth Hub, which has over 720,000 registered users, providing transparent access to opportunities and national programmes.
He mentioned initiatives like the Green Youth Movement and the Prime Minister’s Youth Talent Hunt and Sports League, which promote environmental responsibility, physical wellbeing and cultural identity.
Reiterating the importance of the Muslim Hands Open Kitchen, he said humanitarian service is about restoring dignity and trust, adding that the work in Hounslow reflects Pakistan’s true spirit of standing with humanity beyond borders.
PMYP chief said the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme is not a routine government project but a national movement uniting Pakistani youth at home and abroad under a shared vision of service, innovation and national development.
In his concluding remarks, Rana Mashhood said Pakistan’s image is being reshaped through the hands of volunteers serving communities, and that continued collaboration between government institutions, diaspora organisations like Muslim Hands and international partners will ensure Pakistan’s youth lead a more skilled, inclusive and compassionate future.