Islamabad: The Federal Minister for Board of Investment, Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, in a keynote address, emphasized the government's commitment to creating an enabling environment for youth as contributors to national growth. He stated that youth are the most valuable asset of Pakistan and investing in their skills and entrepreneurship is the path toward sustainable economic development. He stressed the need for a workforce that is adaptable, tech-savvy, and innovative in today's rapidly evolving global economy.
According to Press Information Department, the Pakistan Youth Development Dialogue 2025 marked a significant celebration of World Youth Skills Day, uniting policymakers, corporate executives, nonprofit leaders, and youth advocates. The conference focused on empowering young people through digital skills, inclusive education, and climate leadership to build a resilient and sustainable future for Pakistan. Organized by Development Communications Network (Devcom-Pakistan), the event took place at a local hotel and highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in youth empowerment.
A key feature of the event was the launch of the Pakistan Youth Development Network, led by Munir Ahmed, Executive Director of Devcom-Pakistan. With extensive experience in development communication and youth empowerment, Munir Ahmed emphasized the need for a cohesive national platform connecting young people with skills development opportunities. He stressed the importance of equipping youth with digital, entrepreneurial, and climate resilience skills, urging collaboration among government institutions, corporate sectors, and development organizations.
The National Bank of Pakistan received three awards for its contributions to girls' education, youth engagement in green banking, and youth skills development. Shoaib Qaisrani, Head of the North Region, accepted the awards on behalf of the institution.
Speakers at the conference delivered action-driven remarks. Saquib Ahmed, Managing Director of SAP for Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bahrain, and Iraq, highlighted the opportunities in equipping youth with digital competencies amidst the changing landscape of AI and digital transformation. Fatima Shuja from Jazz Telecom discussed converting digital access into economic opportunities through inclusive innovation.
Fajer Rabia Pasha, Executive Director of Pakistan Alliance for Girls Education, emphasized the role of education in dignity and empowerment. Renowned environmentalist Dr. Ejaz Ahmed stressed the importance of youth in climate resilience, advocating for community-level adaptation led by young leaders.
The dialogue concluded with a climate-focused session, with Dr. Mehwish Ramzan from Jazz Telecom urging corporate entities to align sustainability strategies with global frameworks. Umair Mufakir, President of Native Youth for Climate Change, emphasized the importance of local and indigenous knowledge in adaptation plans.
The event closed with a call to action for more integrated youth-centered development policies and strong alliances to harness the potential of Pakistan's young population.