PM VISION FOR YOUTH EMPOWERMENT TAKES SHAPE WITH GENU COUNCIL’S INAUGURAL MEETING

ISLAMABAD: OCT 17 (DNA) : In line with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s visionary approach to empowering the youth of Pakistan, the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) convened the inaugural working group meeting of the Strategic Advisory Council for Generation Unlimited (GenU).

Chaired by Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, Chairman of the PMYP, the meeting focused on mobilizing efforts to uplift the youth, in collaboration with key stakeholders, including representatives from UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, ILO, provincial youth ministries, the Higher Education Commission (HEC),Hashoo foundation, and the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation.

Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Program (PMYP) Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, commended Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s unwavering commitment to creating innovative opportunities for youth empowerment, stressing the importance of uniting the potential of young Pakistanis under a shared platform where every province has a role to play.

He highlighted that the introduction of Generation Unlimited (GenU) through the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) marks a transformative step, bringing together public, private, and youth stakeholders.

Targeting young people between the ages of 10 to 29, the initiative aims to foster collaboration across provincial youth ministries, private sector leaders, and key UN agencies. Rana Mashhood elaborated that the newly formed GenU Secretariat, housed within the PMYP, will coordinate these efforts, with technical support from UN agencies, to ensure the initiative’s success.

He emphasized the alignment of GenU’s goals with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG-17, which highlights the importance of partnerships for sustainable development.

Khan reaffirmed the PMYP’s dedication to shaping a prosperous and inclusive future for Pakistan’s youth. “Our young people are looking to us for decisive action, and the time to act is now,” he concluded.

The meeting also formalized the creation of the GenU Secretariat within the PMYP, which will manage youth-targeted programs across the country. During the discussions, Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF’s Representative in Pakistan, emphasized the global reach of Generation Unlimited, currently operational in 80 countries and benefiting over 91 million children worldwide. Fadil noted that the initiative focuses on key areas such as green skills, digital literacy, and education for girls, and expressed optimism about the positive impact it can have in Pakistan.

“With the Prime Minister’s keen interest and Rana Mashood’s leadership, I believe we can achieve significant progress in these areas,” Fadil remarked. The Strategic Advisory Council is tasked with providing strategic guidance for investments in education, skills development, and employment opportunities, especially for marginalized youth.

While UNICEF will offer technical support, Fadil stressed the need for broader collaboration across all United Nations agencies to deliver meaningful outcomes.

The establishment of the council is a major step forward in strengthening the partnership between the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme and UNICEF, aimed at providing greater opportunities for Pakistan’s youth. The council also emphasized the importance of linking schoolchildren with programs that equip them with essential skills, ensuring a brighter future for all.