NYS 2013: Youth termed engine for development

AJK President under scores utilising potential and preventing brain drain.

MUZAFFARABAD:

Youth can be an engine for economic development if their skills are harnessed. However, they can also end up a liability if their skills and knowledge are not developed.

This was stated by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob Khan at the inaugural session of a three-day National Youth Summit 2013 that kicked off here on Thursday. Hundreds of students aged between 18 to 24 years are participating in the conference, said a press release.

Khan said that Pakistan is currently having a youth population of more than 100 million. He further said that AJK has a greater potential for production of electricity from hydel resources, adding the state government is putting in all efforts to attract investments in the power sector. He stressed greater opportunities for the youth, to collaborate with business corporations and to become successful entrepreneurs.

The youth summit will encompass 12 multi-dimensional sessions. These sessions would be addressed by leaders and role models from various segments and professions, including political figures, youth leaders, and journalists, leaders from business community and mentors from leading corporations. Members of AJK Cabinet would also address the various sessions.

National Youth Summit Team Leader Waqas Banoori briefed the participants on the Social Action Projects which will be the outcome of the summit. He highlighted that in Pakistan, around 63% of the population is concentrated below the age of 25 years while a significant portion of 33.9% of 186.76 million population is concentrated in the age range of 10-24 years old.

During the seminar participants will acquire knowledge and tools to strengthen the role they play with regards to youth cooperation and attain skills to develop the capacity of their organisations to act as civil society in the processes of development. The youth summit has been organised by Aiming Change for Tomorrow and Valley Trackers.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 15^th, 2013.