Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif unveiled the “Digital Youth Hub” on Thursday, a new initiative aimed at connecting Pakistan’s young population with employment, education, and skill-building opportunities. The launch, held in Islamabad, was covered by state media and hailed as a crucial step in fostering economic empowerment among the country’s youth.
With 64% of Pakistan’s population under the age of 30, experts believe that effectively utilizing this demographic is key to the country’s economic growth. The Digital Youth Hub, developed in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) and UNICEF, serves as a one-stop platform providing access to jobs, scholarships, startup support, and technical training programs.
During the launch event, Prime Minister Sharif underscored the importance of equipping the youth with modern technological skills, including artificial intelligence (AI), information technology (IT), and vocational training. “Modern technology is essential in today’s world, and this portal marks the start of a brighter future for Pakistan’s youth,” he stated, according to Radio Pakistan.
The Prime Minister also pledged to expand educational access, create more employment opportunities, and enhance technology-driven training in collaboration with provincial governments and regions such as Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. “Our youth are both a challenge and an opportunity—we must refine both through innovation,” he added.
However, despite Pakistan’s youthful population, challenges such as rising unemployment, education gaps, and underutilized talent persist. These factors have led to increased emigration, with government data revealing that over 800,000 Pakistanis sought jobs abroad in 2022, a sharp increase from 625,000 in 2019.
The Digital Youth Hub seeks to counter this trend by transforming young talent into a productive workforce, supporting the government’s broader goal of sustainable economic development. Officials believe that by providing better resources and opportunities, the initiative will help reduce brain drain and harness the potential of Pakistani youth for national progress.