Islamabad: On October 17, 2024, the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) held its first Strategic Advisory Council meeting for Generation Unlimited (GenU), setting a robust agenda for youth empowerment in Pakistan. The session, chaired by Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, PMYP Chairman, brought together leaders from various sectors to drive forward Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s commitment to bolstering the potential of Pakistan’s young population.

According to Press Information Department, the council includes representatives from major UN agencies like UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, and ILO, along with delegates from provincial youth ministries, the Higher Education Commission, Hashoo Foundation, and the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation. The inaugural meeting emphasized collaboration across these entities to enhance opportunities for youths in areas such as education, skill development, and employment.

Chairman Rana Mashhood highlighted the launch of the GenU initiative under the PMYP as a transformative approach to integrate public, private, and youth stakeholders in a unified effort. Targeting individuals aged 10 to 29, GenU aims to leverage partnerships to meet the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG-17, which focuses on revitalizing global partnerships for sustainable development.

During the meeting, the establishment of the GenU Secretariat within the PMYP was formalized. This body will oversee the coordination and implementation of youth-targeted programs nationwide, ensuring alignment with global best practices and innovations in youth engagement and empowerment.

UNICEF’s Representative in Pakistan, Abdullah Fadil, spoke on the global impact of Generation Unlimited, which is active in 80 countries and has reached over 91 million children. He expressed optimism about GenU’s potential to significantly advance green skills, digital literacy, and education for girls in Pakistan.

The newly formed council is tasked with providing strategic guidance to foster investment in areas critical to youth development, with a special focus on supporting marginalized groups. The partnership between the PMYP and UNICEF is expected to usher in a wave of opportunities that will empower Pakistani youth and equip them with the skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.