The establishment of the Prime Minister’s National Youth Council marked a watershed moment in Pakistan’s approach to youth empowerment. While many previous initiatives had faltered, this council- bringing together young voices from diverse backgrounds – has shown promising results, albeit with some notable challenges.
The journey of this ambitious initiative offers valuable insights into the complexities of youth engagement in national development.
Walking through the corridors of the prime minister’s youth program’s offices in Islamabad, one immediately notices the energy of young leaders hustling between meetings.
These aren’t your typical bureaucrats – they’re entrepreneurs, activists, and changemakers, many wearing jeans and speaking in a mix of English and Urdu. This informality belies their serious mission: advising the country’s top leadership on youth-centric policies.
The council’s structure reflects its commitment to diversity and inclusion. Members range in age from 15 to 29, representing Pakistan’s various provinces and territories. “We deliberately sought out voices from underrepresented regions, such as Balochistan as well as minorities such as transgenders and
people from non-muslims backgrounds” explains Dr. Ali Malik, secretary to the Prime Minister and one of the council’s founding members.
“It wasn’t enough to just have the usual suspects from Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore.” This approach has brought fresh perspectives to national policy discussions, though implementing recommendations across Pakistan’s varied socioeconomic landscape remains challenging.
The council’s scope extends far beyond mere policy recommendations. Take, for instance, the case of Syed Ali Aqa Gardezi, from Lahore who spearheaded a successful sparktank startup incubation program. “We didn’t want to just talk about youth entrepreneurship,” he explains, adjusting his laptop screen during our interview. “We wanted to actually make it happen.” His program has since helped launch over 20 youth-led startups, creating employment opportunities for hundreds of young Pakistanis.
In the realm of policy advisory, the council has made significant strides. Their recommendations led to the integration of digital skills training into university curricula across Punjab, a model that other provinces are now considering. The council also successfully advocated for increasing the youth quota in government jobs from 5% to 7%, though implementation remains patchy.
Leadership development forms another crucial pillar of the council’s work. Through partnerships with international organizations, they’ve established mentorship programs connecting young Pakistanis with industry leaders. Izzat Ullah, a beneficiary from Quetta, credits this initiative for helping him
scale his agri-tech startup.
“The mentorship changed everything,” he reflects. “It wasn’t just about business advice – it was about believing in ourselves.” But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. The council faces real-world constraints that sometimes hamper its effectiveness. Limited funding has meant choosing between equally worthy initiatives. Some
members privately express frustration about bureaucratic red tape slowing down project implementation.
Meanwhile, in remote areas like Balochistan, many young people remain unaware of the council’s existence. Despite these challenges, the impact statistics tell an encouraging story. Youth participation in policy discussions has increased by 45% since the council’s formation. More importantly, several council recommended policies have been implemented, including a groundbreaking initiative for digital skills training that has reached over 100,000 young Pakistanis.
The council’s social media presence has grown exponentially, with their platforms now reaching millions of youth monthly. International collaboration has been another bright spot. The council has established partnerships with youth organizations in other South Asian countries, facilitating knowledge exchange and joint projects.
These connections have helped Pakistani youth access global opportunities while sharing their own experiences and solutions. Looking ahead, the council is exploring the possibility of establishing regional chapters. This decentralization could help address one of its biggest criticisms – the perception of being too
Islamabad-centric. As one council member noted, speaking on condition of anonymity, “We need to be where the youth are, not expect them to come to us.”
The council has also recognized the need to better engage with rural youth. A pilot program in Southern Punjab has shown promising results, combining traditional community outreach with digital engagement. “Rural youth have different challenges and aspirations,” explains Muhammad Ahmad, Founder of In Lights, who leads the rural outreach initiative. “We need to adapt our approach
accordingly.”
The impact on individual council members has been equally significant. Many have gone on to launch successful initiatives or take up leadership positions in various sectors. Their experiences on the council have shaped their understanding of governance and public service. “It’s one thing to criticize from the outside,” reflects member Ammar Ali Ayub, now running a successful ed-tech company.
“Being on the council taught us the complexities of implementing change at a national scale.” The council’s journey reflects Pakistan’s broader struggle with youth empowerment – full of potential, facing real challenges, but slowly making progress. Its success could well determine whether Pakistan harnesses or squanders its demographic dividend. As the council enters its next phase, its ability to adapt and expand its reach while maintaining its core mission will be crucial.
For Pakistan’s youth, the council represents more than just another government body – it’s a symbol of hope and possibility. Despite its limitations and challenges, it has shown that young voices can influence national policy and drive meaningful change. The coming years will be critical in determining whether this promise can be fully realized.
By Omer Ali Malik
Member of the Prime Minister’s National Youth Council
A-levels Student at Aitchison College
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