By Irfan Siddiqui
ISLAMABAD: Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan has said that under the dynamic leadership and vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan’s youth are poised to become the engine of economic growth and the driving force behind the country’s economic transformation.
Addressing a post-budget press conference at the PID Media Centre, Rana Mashhood termed the Federal Budget 2026-27 a “historic youth budget,” saying that despite economic challenges and fiscal constraints, the government has made unprecedented investments in education, skills development, entrepreneurship and sports to empower the country’s young population.
He said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has always considered the youth as Pakistan’s greatest asset and has consistently worked to create opportunities for them in every sphere of life. “The Prime Minister firmly believes that no nation can progress without investing in its young generation, and this budget reflects his commitment to preparing Pakistani youth for the challenges and opportunities of the modern world,” he said.
According to the budget documents, more than Rs40 billion has been allocated for youth-focused initiatives under the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, while Rs24.48 billion has been earmarked for the expansion of Danish Schools across the country. In addition, Rs5.29 billion has been allocated for the Prime Minister’s Youth Skills Development Programme, under which around 120,000 young Pakistanis will receive training in information technology, digital skills and emerging technologies.
Rana Mashhood said the government’s youth policies are already yielding encouraging results. During the last year alone, between 800,000 and 900,000 Pakistani youth secured employment opportunities in international markets through various skills development and overseas employment initiatives. He added that the government is now working with renewed determination to significantly increase overseas employment opportunities for skilled Pakistani youth.
Highlighting the success of entrepreneurship initiatives, the PMYP chairman said that start-up programmes and innovation schemes launched under the government’s youth agenda have created employment opportunities for nearly 900,000 young people. He said these initiatives are helping young entrepreneurs establish businesses, generate jobs and contribute to the country’s economic revival.
He further noted that Pakistan’s information technology exports have reached a historic high, a development that reflects the immense potential of the country’s talented youth and the government’s continued investment in digital skills and innovation.
Rana Mashhood also announced several new initiatives, including a nationwide Volunteer Corps, the Green Youth Movement in universities, National Innovation Awards, game development centres and Pakistan’s first National E-Sports Policy. He revealed that the federal cabinet has approved the E-Sports Policy and that the country’s first E-Sports Federation will soon be established to create new opportunities for young people in the digital economy.
On the sports front, he said more than 300,000 young men and women have participated in Prime Minister’s Youth Programme sports activities. The government is also launching Pakistan’s first nationwide hockey talent hunt programme to identify and nurture emerging talent from across the country.
“The youth of Pakistan are our greatest strength,” Rana Mashhood said. “Under the guidance of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, we are equipping them with education, skills and opportunities so they can compete globally and lead Pakistan towards prosperity and sustainable economic growth.”
He maintained that the Federal Budget 2026-27 is not merely a financial document but a comprehensive roadmap aimed at empowering millions of young Pakistanis and unlocking the country’s enormous demographic potential.
