Islamabad: Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP), has reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to fostering a progressive Commonwealth Youth Programme. This commitment was highlighted during his co-chairing of the Special Meeting of the Commonwealth Youth Ministerial Task Force (CYMTF), aimed at aligning youth initiatives with the aspirations of young people across Commonwealth nations.
According to Press Information Department, the virtual session, co-chaired by Samoa’s Minister of Family and Social Affairs, Moefaauouo Julius Ah Kui Tafunai, included representatives from Commonwealth member countries and the Commonwealth Secretariat. The meeting focused on reviewing the draft Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) Strategic Framework for 2026-2030, gathering member states’ feedback, and discussing the trajectory of the Programme. Updates on the Commonwealth Youth Forum, the Commonwealth Youth Council, and the 11th Commonwealth Youth Ministers Meeting were also part of the agenda.
In his address, Chairman PMYP expressed appreciation for the active participation of member states in the consultative process, emphasizing a collective commitment to youth programmes that adapt to changing needs. Representing Pakistan, Khan lauded the Commonwealth Secretariat’s inclusive approach in developing the Strategic Framework and reiterated Pakistan’s alignment with the Commonwealth Strategic Plan 2025-2030.
Khan highlighted the significance of providing quality education, promoting entrepreneurship, fostering innovation, driving digital transformation, and supporting skills development to empower youth in contributing to national and global progress. He endorsed initiatives aimed at enhancing youth participation, entrepreneurship, financial access, and digital skills, particularly benefiting small states and vulnerable communities within the Commonwealth.
He further stressed preserving the Commonwealth Youth Programme’s institutional identity and advocating for collaborative efforts within the Secretariat. Khan called for maintaining established governance and funding structures, while any future reforms should arise through consensus-driven intergovernmental processes.
Concluding the meeting, Chairman PMYP reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to collaborating with the Commonwealth Secretariat and fellow member countries as Co-Chair of the Commonwealth Youth Ministerial Task Force. The goal is to finalize a balanced, inclusive, and forward-thinking Strategic Framework that empowers young people across the Commonwealth.