Zardari urges youth to pursue excellence

ISLAMABAD:

President Asif Ali Zardari said the government remainsd committed to empowering youth and urged the young women and men to pursue excellence, embrace innovation, uphold the values of integrity, compassion and tolerance and actively contribute to the progress of the country.

In a message on the observance of the International Youth Day on August 12, the president extended his warm greetings to the youth of Pakistan and joined the international community in celebrating their energy, resilience, creativity and commitment to building a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future.

"This year's theme, "Different Contexts, Common Aspirations," reminds us that though young people come from diverse backgrounds yet they share common aspirations for quality education, decent employment, innovation, equality and meaningful participation in society. It is not only the duty of the state but our collective responsibility to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to realise their full potential," the President Secretariat Media Wing, in statement, quoted the president as saying.

He further observed that the exuberance, creativity and resilience of their youth were among Pakistan's greatest strengths and their fresh perspectives and innovative ideas have the power to transform communities and society at large.

By ensuring their meaningful engagement in education, employment, entrepreneurship, volunteerism, civic participation and decision-making, they could and must harness this immense potential for the greater good of society, he added.

The president opined that empowering youth to actively contribute to national development was more than an investment in their future but actually it was an investment in Pakistan's future.

"With nearly 67 per cent of Pakistan's population under the age of 30, our youth represents the nation's greatest strength. The aspirations, talent and leadership of young women in particular are essential for our socio-economic development. By expanding opportunities for girls and young women in education, skills development, entrepreneurship, science, technology and leadership, we can unlock the full potential of our nation," he added.

The president further said the day also served as a reminder that if challenges such as lack of educational opportunities, high youth unemployment rate and digital literacy gaps are not addressed in a timely manner, the long term consequences are bound to ripple across the whole society including economic stagnation, brain drain, crimes proliferation, human trafficking, mental health issues and even civil unrest.

He mentioned the Prime Minister's Youth Programme which is the Government of Pakistan's flagship initiative for youth empowerment, aimed at harnessing the country's demographic dividend by providing young people with opportunities in education, skills development, employment, entrepreneurship, digital innovation, sports and civic engagement.