PM Shehbaz launches National Youth Council to empower youngsters

ISLAMABAD: The government  is initiating its National Youth Council, with a cut-and- dried mandate to formulate the first-ever National Youth Policy for the country. Chaired by Youth Programme Chairman Rana Mashhood, the 100-member council includes 13 Pakistanis living abroad.

The focus of the council will be to address environmental issues concerning the green economy and serve as an advisory body to the Prime Minister regarding policies.

Among other things, the council will frame a draft of the constitution for self-operationalization and set up an in-house mechanism for accountability and feedback, plus champion to aid the marginalized youth, including young women, religious and gender minorities, and those who are disabled.

The council will also give utmost priority to promoting awareness and access to reproductive health, as without health services, the youth are more vulnerable when it comes to health challenges. Further, the council will advocate for life skills-based education and pass the matter for mainstream subjects.

In seeking the supply of these, the council, while working on resource allocation and permanent structural addressing barriers to implement YFW, will partner with national and international institutions and organizations who are working for effective youth development. The council is orientated in support of marginalized communities, including rural and isolated areas, in education, self-employment, and training.

The Commonwealth Asia Youth Summit and the meeting of Youth Ministers will take place now, with the oath-taking ceremony of the Youth Council set for tomorrow, where Prime Minister Sharif will administer the oath to the newly constituted members.

The council will also acknowledge young people for their accomplishments through Climate Champions and Youth Excellence Awards. Members will engage in a plethora of academic and practical activities as the council moves forward, with the old discussed group working as an advisory member on this.