BY : F T Correspondent:
ISLAMABAD: Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan held a meeting with Muhammad Al Khayyam, Director of the Junior Jinnah Trust, to discuss a range of initiatives aimed at strengthening youth development, skills training and volunteer engagement in Pakistan.
The meeting focused on developing stronger cooperation between the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme and the Junior Jinnah Trust, particularly in areas that can provide young people with practical skills, professional exposure and greater opportunities to contribute to society.
A key focus of the discussion was collaboration on the National Volunteer Corps (NVC), an initiative aimed at encouraging young people to participate in organized volunteer activities and play a more active role in community development. The participants discussed the potential of creating structured opportunities for youth to contribute to social, educational and community-oriented activities.
The proposed collaboration is also expected to help promote a culture of volunteerism among young Pakistanis by providing them with opportunities to develop leadership, teamwork, communication and organizational skills while serving their communities.
Another major initiative discussed during the meeting was the establishment of a Digital Skills Lab. The facility is envisioned as a platform where young people can acquire modern, market-driven digital skills in line with the rapidly changing requirements of the national and international job markets.
The Digital Skills Lab is expected to focus on practical training and emerging technologies, enabling young people to improve their employability and explore opportunities in the digital economy, freelancing, entrepreneurship and technology-driven professions.
Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan emphasized the importance of equipping Pakistan’s youth with skills that correspond to the demands of the modern economy. He highlighted the need for stronger partnerships among government institutions, civil society organizations and private-sector stakeholders to expand opportunities for young people.
The meeting also underscored the importance of combining skills development with volunteerism and community engagement. Such initiatives can help young people not only build professional careers but also develop a stronger sense of social responsibility and leadership.
Muhammad Al Khayyam briefed the chairman on the Junior Jinnah Trust’s areas of work and discussed possible avenues for institutional cooperation. Both sides expressed interest in taking forward the proposed initiatives through coordinated efforts.
The proposed National Volunteer Corps collaboration and Digital Skills Lab are being viewed as potential steps toward creating a more inclusive youth development framework, with a particular emphasis on practical skills, innovation, volunteer service and employment opportunities.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to explore further cooperation and develop initiatives that can provide Pakistan’s young population with meaningful avenues for learning, leadership, employment and community service.
