Commonwealth secretary general commends Pakistan's youth empowerment efforts

Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland praised Pakistan's initiatives under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to provide extensive opportunities, resources, and support to the youth. 

Speaking at the Young Entrepreneurs Awards ceremony held at the Prime Minister's office on Wednesday, Scotland lauded the country’s efforts towards youth empowerment.

"Under the leadership of Chairman Prime Minister Youth Program Rana Mashhood Khan, significant strides are being made to empower young people," Scotland stated. 

She emphasised the need to harness modern technology to ensure a prosperous future for the country, highlighting the Commonwealth's commitment to supporting innovators.

Scotland expressed her gratitude to the people and government of Pakistan for their warm hospitality. 

"Wearing a Pakistani dress today symbolises my solidarity with Pakistan. The government's initiatives to empower the youth under PM Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership are commendable," she remarked.

Highlighting the demographic potential, she noted that 60% of the global youth population is under 30, with Pakistan boasting 65% of its youth between 18 and 30. 

"By equipping the youth with modern technology and skills, Pakistan can not only propel its own development but also contribute significantly to global progress," she said.

Scotland acknowledged the critical role of young people in national and economic development, asserting that the Commonwealth recognises their courage and determination as a driving force for change. 

Addressing the award recipients, she encouraged them to adapt to the rapidly evolving market of artificial intelligence, which presents a multi-billion dollar opportunity. 

Since its inception in 2013, the Prime Minister's Youth Loan and Agricultural Scheme has distributed approximately Rs186 billion to over 280,000 young entrepreneurs, fostering numerous employment opportunities nationwide. 

The scheme maintains a non-performing loan rate of less than 3%, underscoring its transparency and effectiveness.