Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program (PMYP), has emphasized the need for stronger youth engagement, skill development and access to financing to ensure sustainable economic growth in Pakistan.
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Speaking during his visit to the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on Friday, Rana Mashood said that youth constitute nearly 70 percent of the country’s population—around 170 million people—and represent Pakistan’s greatest asset. He noted that effectively engaging this large segment in productive activities remains a critical challenge but offers immense potential for national progress.
He explained that PMYP is operating under the framework of four key pillars—Education, Engagement, Environment and Employment—aimed at creating opportunities for young people across various sectors.
Highlighting a major initiative, he said Pakistan’s first Digital Youth Hub has been launched to connect youth with employment, education and training opportunities. Currently, around 800,000 young individuals and over 4,000 local and international organizations are registered on the platform, which offers more than 100,000 job opportunities.
Rana Mashood added that over 3,000 scholarships in education and technical fields are also available through the platform, which uses artificial intelligence to guide users on career pathways, employment prospects and skills development.
  
Referring to the Prime Minister Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme, he said that Rs80 billion was disbursed between 2013 and 2024, increasing to Rs200 billion last year, with plans to raise it further to Rs250 billion this year. He noted that each loan generates an average of 3.3 jobs, making it a key driver of entrepreneurship and employment.
He urged KCCI to establish a facilitation center to guide young people in accessing financing and completing necessary procedures.
Discussing policy initiatives, he said Pakistan’s first Youth Employment Policy has been approved, targeting at least 35 percent participation of women in the labor force. He also highlighted work on a National Adolescent and Youth Policy aimed at addressing the needs of different age groups.
Earlier, KCCI Senior Vice President Muhammad Raza underscored the importance of empowering youth for long-term economic stability, calling for closer collaboration between the business community and youth-focused programs. He stressed aligning training programs with industry needs, promoting entrepreneurship, and facilitating internships, apprenticeships and startup incubation.
He assured KCCI’s full support to PMYP, expressing optimism that joint efforts would significantly contribute to Pakistan’s economic growth and development.
