HEC Hosts Two-Day Youth Convention Strengthen National Unity

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A two-day National Youth Convention titled “Story of Pakistan and Role of Youth” commenced on Tuesday in Islamabad, under the auspices of the Higher Education Commission (HEC). The event aims to celebrate the remarkable achievements of Pakistani youth while promoting inter-provincial harmony.

Deputy Prime Minister Senator Ishaq Dar graced the opening ceremony as the chief guest, alongside notable government officials, including Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP), Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, Minister for Power, Ms Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication, and Musadik Masood Malik, Minister for Petroleum. The convention has brought together vice chancellors, faculty members, and a large number of students from across the country.

Addressing the youth, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar emphasized the nation’s wealth in resources, particularly its youth, whom he described as Pakistan’s most valuable asset. He highlighted Pakistan’s diverse cultures, languages, and traditions as the country’s true strength. Dar stressed that education is the most powerful tool to foster creative thinking and innovation, crucial for the nation’s progress. He affirmed the government’s strong support for higher education, the commercialization of research and innovation, and the growth of a startup culture. Referring to the establishment of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), Dar reiterated the government’s commitment to investing in youth to enable them to compete globally. “Pakistan’s strength lies in national unity, which will shape the country’s future,” he said, urging the youth to work towards the nation’s prosperity.

Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Chairman of PMYP, spoke about the significant opportunities available to youth through the program. He highlighted the potential of Pakistani youth to excel in every field, citing the example of Arshad Nadeem, whose achievements have united the nation. Khan encouraged the youth to take full advantage of the resources provided by PMYP, stressing the Prime Minister’s commitment to ensuring that funds are available for youth development. He called for renewed national resolve to secure Pakistan’s stability and prosperity.

Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, Minister for Power, presented a detailed overview of the energy crisis facing Pakistan. He discussed the complexities of power generation, transmission, demand, and distribution, and outlined the government’s efforts to address the issue. Leghari emphasized the need for power sector reforms, including tariff restructuring, shifting captive units to the national grid, and the solarization of Balochistan’s agricultural tubewells, among other initiatives.

Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication, Ms Shaza Fatima Khawaja, highlighted the transformative role of information technology in modern life. She announced a Rs 4 billion investment in IT skill development for youth, aiming to create a robust ecosystem for IT companies in Pakistan. Khawaja revealed that Islamabad’s first IT Park, expected to create 10,000 jobs, is currently under development, with plans for another IT Park in Karachi. Additionally, the government is establishing 250 E-Rozgar Centres across Pakistan, which are envisioned as steppingstones for Pakistani youth to reach global tech hubs like Silicon Valley. She also discussed initiatives for female startups, incubation centers, and national digitization efforts, while advocating for responsible use of technology.

Minister of Petroleum Musaddik Masood Malik urged the youth to cultivate objectivity, critical thinking, and optimism. He encouraged them to learn from their mistakes, maintain faith, and remain hopeful about Pakistan’s future. Malik emphasized that the future of Pakistan is in the hands of its youth, and they must take charge of the nation’s collective destiny.

In his welcoming remarks, HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed stated that the convention’s objective is to highlight the achievements of Pakistani youth amidst a climate of despair. He underscored the importance of national unity and optimism in steering the country forward. Dr Ahmed also stressed the need to capitalize on Pakistan’s rich diversity, cautioning against those who seek to exploit differences for their own interests. “We must work together to thwart the ill intentions of our enemies and guide the country out of crisis,” he concluded.

The National Youth Convention will continue on Wednesday, with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif expected to address the assembly, further highlighting the government’s commitment to empowering the youth as the driving force behind Pakistan’s future.