Legislation for establishment of National Youth Foundation soon: Usman Dar

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on Youth Affairs Muhammad Usman Dar has said that the incumbent government is working on legislating for the establishment of National Youth Foundation in the Country to enable better work for the development of the youth.

In a meeting with Ms. Indhira Santos, Global Lead Labor & Skills (World Bank), in Islamabad on Friday, Usman Dar briefed her on the Prime Minister’s Kamyab Jawan Programme, and said that about 68% population of the Country comprises of youth whose development is the priority area for the government.

“We have a very clear line of action for positive and productive engagements of our youth. Our government is giving youth concessionary loans of Rs. 100 billion in the first phase along with Rs 30 billion earmarked for skills development of youth,” he said.

Usman Dar said that he would welcome the technical support and knowledge sharing from World Bank in view to improve youth-related initiatives of the government.

“I am looking forward to concrete outcomes and suggestions of our meeting regarding youth empowerment in Pakistan,” he said.

The special assistant further said that presently having the highest ever number of youth population, it was the best time to invest in Pakistan for optimum results.

Ms. Indhira Santos shared her views on improving the quality of jobs in informal sector in Pakistan. She said that World Bank has the requisite technical assistance to be provided to the Kamyab Jawan Programme.

“The technical support may also lead to financial assistance, in future”, she added.

It was agreed during the meeting to further deliberate on modalities and areas for mutual cooperation between the World Bank and Prime Minister’s Kamyab Jawan Programme.