Ibrahim Hasan Murad, President of the University of Management and Technology (UMT), has raised strong concerns over the apparent absence of youth-focused priorities in the Federal Budget 2025–26.
“In a country where nearly two-thirds of the population is under the age of 30, it is imperative that the Honorable Finance Minister explicitly articulates what the Federal Budget offers for the youth of Pakistan,” said Murad.
He emphasized that the national budget must not merely aim for fiscal stability, but must cater meaningfully to the needs of Pakistan’s new generation. “Our youth are not just a demographic; they are our greatest strategic asset. A budget that overlooks them is a budget that overlooks the future.”
Murad called upon the government to clearly outline targeted investments in education, vocational training, digital skills, entrepreneurship, and employment generation. “These are not optional sectors—they are foundational to national resilience and prosperity.”
Warning of the risks of continued neglect, he stated: “If we do not invest in our youth, we risk losing them—to disillusionment, disengagement, and despair.”
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He concluded with a direct call to action: “We urge the Finance Minister to speak to the young people of Pakistan—clearly, transparently, and sincerely. What does this budget offer them? They deserve an answer.”