Pak’s Youth: From Madaris to Digital Innovation—A New Era Begins
M Atif Ismail
Multan: The future of any nation rests firmly in the hands of its youth. Their unity, integrity, and empowerment are fundamental pillars for a country’s progress, sovereignty, and standing on the global stage.
Recognizing this crucial role, Pakistan has embarked on an ambitious journey to uplift its youth through education, technology, and innovation, paving the way for a stronger, more resilient nation.
During his recent visit to South Punjab, Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Program, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, outlined a comprehensive vision aimed at empowering young people across the country. “We are committed to youth empowerment and no effort will be spared to support them through education, technology, innovation, and sports,” he affirmed.
Central to this vision is the formulation of a new National Youth Policy, currently being developed with direct input from youth representatives in every province. “We have launched consultative sessions to ensure their voices are heard, resulting in a policy that truly reflects their dreams and aspirations,” Mashhood added.
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The government is also leveraging modern technology to connect youth with opportunities. The Digital Youth Hub, an AI-powered application, offers access to over 200,000 job openings, career counseling, training programs, and international scholarships. “Young people are encouraged to register and make the most of this gateway,” said Mashhood.
In partnership with global tech giant Huawei, a technical training initiative aims to equip 300,000 youth with digital and technical skills, preparing them for employment both within Pakistan and abroad.
South Punjab, a region rich in potential, is set to benefit substantially from these programs. “More than 43% of the benefits under youth empowerment initiatives like the ‘Honhar Program’ are directed here, surpassing the region’s population ratio,” Mashhood highlighted. An investment of $200 million from Malaysia in the livestock sector is expected to open new economic avenues, particularly in Dera Ghazi Khan.
To foster innovation and entrepreneurship, the National Innovation Award has been launched to provide financial aid and mentoring support to youth-led startups. Additionally, the government has resumed distribution of laptops to students, helping bridge the digital divide.
Syeda Muqaddas Fatima, an MPhil scholar in Mass Communication, shared her gratitude: “Receiving a laptop under this scheme greatly aided my thesis research. If I had to purchase it myself, it would have been very difficult. I thank the government for this timely support.”
Beyond education and technology, civic engagement is also being promoted through the formation of a National Volunteer Corps, which will train 200,000 youth in disaster response and community service. This initiative aims to instill discipline, patriotism, and social responsibility among young citizens.
The importance of emerging fields like Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being recognized at grassroots levels as well. Sadia Jamal, a young teacher in Muzaffargarh district, noted, “Teaching AI from Class 6 to matriculation is crucial today, and students are showing great enthusiasm for this discipline.”
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Freelancer Arham Jamal from Vehari also praised government initiatives, emphasizing the potential of IT education to prepare youth for international markets and increase Pakistan’s foreign exchange earnings.
Importantly, for the first time, students from Madaris (Islamic seminaries) are included in technical education programs, helping integrate them into the country’s social and economic mainstream.
On the sports front, talent hunts for the 2028 Olympics are underway to identify and nurture promising athletes in athletics, boxing, and other disciplines.
Pakistan’s commitment to higher education continues with the recent appointment of 32 new vice chancellors aimed at enhancing academic governance and leadership development.
Local political leaders and civil society are also lauding these efforts. Ghulam Shabbir Saqi, Information Secretary of Pakistan Muslim League N (Khanewal), remarked, “The PML-N government has always taken practical steps for youth welfare. The current initiatives will help students acquire vital digital skills.”
Similarly, Naeem Iqbal Naeem, Chairman of the Young Pakistanis Organization, highlighted the transformative power of digital education: “Thousands of girl students and housewives are earning through digital services. Promoting IT education at the grassroots will unlock tremendous opportunities for our youth internationally.”
Zahida Hameed, Chairperson of the Society for Special Persons, urged that youth empowerment programs also include differently-abled individuals, stressing their equal potential if provided the right opportunities.
In sum, the government’s renewed focus on youth is more than just policy—it is a promise. By blending education, innovation, and employment, Pakistan is preparing its young generation to become the nation’s strongest pillars, capable of driving the country towards an invincible future.
The feature story was released by APP on May 18, 2025.
All facts and information presented are the sole responsibility of the reporter and their organization.
