Pakistan’s Progress Hinges on Educated, Healthy, and Responsible Youth: Ahsan Iqbal
Pakistan’s development agenda cannot be completed without placing its young population at the center of national policy-making. As decisions taken today will shape the lives of generations to come, it is crucial to build a healthy, educated, skilled, and socially conscious youth capable of leading the country in the future.
Around two-thirds of Pakistan’s population comprises young people, making investment in education, health, human development, and leadership development essential for the nation's long-term progress. Pakistan needs a generation equipped with academic qualifications and also awareness, confidence, positive thinking, and a strong sense of responsibility to effectively assume leadership roles.
Professor Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, made these remarks while addressing a ceremony at Government College Women University Faisalabad (GCWUF).
He expressed pleasure at inaugurating two projects at GCWUF and visiting an institution where 11,000 female students pursue higher education. The growing number of women pursuing higher education reflects expanding opportunities for Pakistani women to contribute to national development.
Referring to his home district Narowal, Iqbal noted that once lacking a higher educational institution, the area now boasts the University of Narowal with around 8,000 students enrolled, providing local youth with greater access to higher learning.
The federal minister introduced the Young Development Fellows (YDF) Program launched by the Ministry of Planning and Development. Initially targeting 40 young people from universities nationwide, the program has since expanded through chapters established at numerous institutions. YDF chapters now operate in 165 universities, offering participants opportunities to engage in development-related activities. Leadership training is also provided to prepare them for future leadership responsibilities.
While Pakistan has made economic strides, Iqbal emphasized the need for substantial improvement in social indicators. Historically, resources have been directed more towards physical infrastructure than social infrastructure, a trend that needs to change.