Islamabad: 09 April: A delegation of Minority Youth Exposure Program of KP Government called on Mr. Muhammad Usman Dar, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Youth Affairs to discuss various Government initiatives for the socio-economic development of youth, especially the one hailing from marginalized and minority communities.
Mr. Muhammad Usman Dar welcomed the visiting delegation and ensured them of equal opportunities in all walks of life like other citizens. He said, “Minorities should strive to grab every Government opportunity for the economic empowerment, as they have as much right on Pakistan’s resources as Usman Dar has, be it employment or entrepreneurship”.
Mr. Muhammad Usman Dar briefed the visiting delegation on planned initiatives of the PTI Government including National Youth Development Framework (NYDF), an overarching vision document for youth-focused development interventions in education, employment and engagement (3Es). He said, “Government is so focused and committed on the socio-economic uplift of minority groups that mainstreaming marginalized youth is one of the six thematic areas of National Youth Development Framework (NYDF).” He added, “For the first time in the history of Pakistan, National Youth Council is also being established, which would be duly represented by the outstanding youth from minority groups. in order to raise their voice effectively.”
In education, Government is about to launch Startup Pakistan Programme to create a national eco-system for the development of innovation driven entrepreneurs (IDEs). Youth across all universities and 300 accredited TVET institutes would be trained in seven emerging technologies through digital incubation initiative for sustainable national economic growth. Moreover, under Skills Development Programme, 150,000 youth, both male and female, would receive effective technical and vocational training in both high-tech and conventional demand-driven trades to ensure their maximum employability.
For employment, Government is launching Kamyab Jawan Programme, an SME-lending facility to offer subsidized business loans to the young entrepreneurs for running their own businesses. Mr. Usman Dar added, “Government is not only focused on providing loans to young people but is also working to reduce cost of doing business and ensuring ease of doing business”.
To promote civic engagement, Government intends to launch Green Youth Movement (GYM), and Jawan-e-Maidaan programmes. Under GYM, a major part of trees under 10 Billion Tree Tsunami Project would be earmarked for plantation by youth, which would not only productively engage them socially but would also be a source of economic empowerment for them.
Mr. Usman Dar concluded by saying that the PTI Government is focused on mainstreaming youth of marginalized and minority groups by ensuring equal opportunities for them in all walks of life.
