Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif delivered a speech at the 11th D8 Summit in Cairo, where he emphasized the empowerment of youth, the promotion of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and urged the international community to take urgent action in addressing the humanitarian crises in Gaza and Lebanon.

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In his opening remarks, the Prime Minister congratulated Egypt for hosting the summit and welcomed Azerbaijan as a new member of the D8 group. He expressed his belief that under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan would significantly contribute to advancing the group’s goals.

Discussing the summit’s theme, “Investing in Youth, Promoting the Trend of Small and Medium Enterprises,” PM Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the importance of youth and SMEs for economic growth. He noted that young people are full of energy, creativity, and innovation, while SMEs generate jobs and foster local entrepreneurship.

“More than 60% of Pakistan’s population is under 30, making youth empowerment a cornerstone of our socio-economic development,” Shehbaz remarked. “For D8 member countries, empowering youth is essential for progress.” He emphasized that promoting investment in SMEs among the youth is key to socio-economic development.

He also shared the government’s efforts in empowering the youth, including the distribution of over 600,000 laptops to deserving students since 2013, thousands of scholarships, and technical training in fields like artificial intelligence, data analytics, and cybersecurity. He highlighted Pakistan’s growing freelancer community and the launch of initiatives such as Startup Pakistan and the National Innovation Awards to foster entrepreneurship.

PM Shehbaz further outlined the government’s support for SMEs, noting that Pakistan’s cabinet had approved a preferential trade agreement with D8 member countries and that billions of rupees had been allocated through the Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme to help youth become financially independent.

On the humanitarian front, the summit also addressed the aftermath of recent Israeli actions in Gaza and Lebanon. In a special session, PM Shehbaz urged the international community to show solidarity with the people of Gaza, calling for immediate assistance to support refugees and rebuild the region. He condemned Israel’s actions as crimes against humanity, particularly the suffering of thousands of orphans and widows.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s stance on the Palestinian issue, the Prime Minister reiterated support for a two-state solution and an independent Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders.

In closing, PM Shehbaz described the D8 Summit as a vital opportunity for member countries to collaborate on youth investment and SME development, urging all nations to unite for peace, prosperity, and shared growth in the region.

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