LAHORE: (Monday, February 09, 2026): Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan has said that through the National Adolescent and Youth Policy, Pakistan will nurture skills of children and youth based on their interests, and will increase IT exports from USD 2.5 billion to USD 25 billion within four years. He expressed these views while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the ‘Employment Expo’ organized by PU in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme at the Law College Ground here on Monday. On the occasion, PU VC Prof Dr Muhammad Ali, Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood, State Bank of Pakistan’s Tariq Riaz, Director Career Counseling and Placement Centre Dr Fouzia Hadi Ali, faculty members, and a large number of students were present. In his address, Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan said that in 2016 the world was saying that Pakistan would be among the top 30 economies of the world. He said Pakistan is among the few countries that have an AI policy. He added that youth in Pakistan are progressing in every field and that 800,000 young people have been registered on the Digital Youth Hub within six months. He said the DYH is a portal where no recommendation is required for employment, and that Pakistani youth are moving forward on merit. He further said that the National Youth Employment Policy would be launched within a month, and that the policy would encourage women and new companies. He stated that after Operation ‘Bunyan Marsoos,’ the world acknowledged that Pakistan is not lagging behind in technology. He said attempts were made to spread despair among Pakistani youth through 5th generation warfare, similar to what happened in Syria and Libya. When the enemy failed to spread despair, it resorted to terrorism; the Islamabad blast was another failed attempt by Pakistan’s enemies. He said, ‘We consider martyrdom as medals for us.’ He said that Basant is not just a festival but a means of connecting all generations with one another. He said that Basant helped reconnect children and youth with their elders, and that Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz deserves credit for bridging the generation gap through Basant.

Prof Dr Muhammad Ali said that PU is bringing together all market sectors under one roof to inform youth about the types of jobs currently required by the market. He said that recently an AI and IT job fair was also organized. He termed Rana Mashhood’s services for the younger generation as commendable. Tariq Riaz said that PU has produced leaders in every field. He said that globally, entrepreneurship is increasingly replacing traditional jobs. He added that efforts are being made to ensure that financing does not become a barrier to good ideas. He emphasized that no country can progress without the inclusion of women and that women should enhance their role in the practical field as well. Dr Fouzia Hadi Ali thanked the Vice Chancellor, government institutions, and all collaborators for their support in the successful organization of the expo. She said that PU’s Career Counseling and Placement Centre will continue to play its role in supporting students in the practical field.