The government, through the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP), has introduced Pur Azm Pakistan in partnership with Unicef and Generation Unlimited (GenU). This national initiative aims to broaden access to skills development, employment, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunities for young people across the country.
Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Chairman of the PMYP, emphasized that Pakistan’s youth represent its greatest asset and potential. He noted that Pur Azm is building a coordinated national framework linking education, skills, and employment, demonstrating a strong commitment to providing every young person with meaningful opportunities to contribute to the nation’s growth and prosperity.
With nearly 67% of Pakistan’s population under 30, the country hosts one of the largest youth populations globally. Despite this, approximately 32 million young individuals remain outside education, employment, or training. Pur Azm aims to tackle this issue by uniting the government, private sector, development partners, and youth to create more pathways for skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship, with a focus on girls and underserved communities.
Unicef Representative in Pakistan Pernille Ironside highlighted that Pakistan has a historic chance to transform its youth population into a demographic dividend by scaling learning-to-earning pathways. She described Pur Azm Pakistan as a transformative initiative designed to build the systems and partnerships essential for expanding skills and economic opportunities, especially for those facing significant barriers.
In a significant development, the launch also introduced Friends of GenU Pakistan, a platform that gathers businesses dedicated to investing in the future of Pakistan’s youth. Through collaborations that promote skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation, and work-based learning, this platform will broaden opportunities for young people to transition effectively from education to employment.
Kevin Frey, CEO of Generation Unlimited, remarked that Pur Azm Pakistan and Friends of GenU Pakistan exemplify how government, business, and youth can collaborate to create a scalable model for skills enhancement, entrepreneurship, and employment. This positions Pakistan as a global leader in harnessing youth potential for inclusive economic growth.
The event featured a Learn-to-Earn Marketplace showcasing youth-led enterprises, innovations, and entrepreneurial solutions from across Pakistan, underscoring the talent and creativity of young individuals. Additionally, a high-level dialogue titled “Bridging Ambition and Opportunity” gathered policymakers, private sector leaders, and youth to discuss pathways to digital employment, green economy prospects, skills reform, and entrepreneurship.
Pur Azm and Friends of GenU Pakistan are set to expand access to skills, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities nationwide, aiming to help millions of young people transition successfully from learning to earning and contribute meaningfully to Pakistan’s future growth and prosperity.
