Islamabad: Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, emphasized the critical role of youth empowerment in driving the country’s development during her address at the National Youth Convention on Tuesday. She outlined the government’s commitment to equipping young Pakistanis with advanced digital skills through significant financial investments and initiatives.

According to Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication, Minister Khawaja highlighted the allocation of over Rs. 4 billion this year towards youth skills development programs. She pointed out the success of the DigiSkills Program, which has trained approximately 4.5 million youths, urging more young people to take advantage of this opportunity.

The minister underscored the pivotal role of information technology in various sectors, including the economy and security, and announced ongoing collaborations, such as the construction of an IT Park in Islamabad with the support of the Korean government. This project is expected to generate numerous job opportunities and will be followed by a second IT Park in Karachi. Additionally, e-rozgar centers are set to open nationwide through public-private partnerships.

Minister Khawaja also detailed steps towards the digital transformation of the country, starting with making Islamabad a model digital city. She called on the youth to actively participate in today’s technological revolution and contribute responsibly to media usage, highlighting the impact of misinformation on national perception.