London – Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan held a series of high-level meetings in London aimed at strengthening international cooperation for youth employment, entrepreneurship, skills development, and institutional support for youth-focused initiatives.
Chairman PMYP met with Dr. Mohammad Faisal High Commissioner of Pakistan to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Chairman PMYP briefed the High Commissioner on the Prime Minister of Pakistan’s vision of productive and sustainable employment, emphasizing that the government’s focus goes beyond job creation towards enabling economic self-sufficiency and empowerment of youth.
He highlighted that the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme has adopted a Whole-of-Government Approach, under which PMYP collaborates with federal ministries, government institutions, commercial banks, chambers of commerce, public and private sector organizations, as well as international partners and foreign missions.
In this context, Chairman PMYP sought the High Commission’s support through the designation of a focal person to facilitate structured cooperation on youth-related initiatives.
The High Commissioner appreciated PMYP’s structured and results-oriented approach and assured full support of the Pakistan High Commission in London for youth employment, skills, and diaspora-linked initiatives.
Later, Chairman PMYP met with Dr. Arjoon Suddhoo Deputy Secretary General of the Commonwealth Secretariat at Marlborough House.
Chairman PMYP conveyed gratitude for the Commonwealth Secretariat’s technical collaboration with Pakistan, particularly in the development of the Esports Policy and the evaluation of the Prime Minister’s Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme (PMYBALS).
He expressed appreciation for Hon. Shirley Botchwey, Commonwealth Secretary-General, for her prompt and positive response to concerns raised by the Commonwealth Youth Ministerial Task Force (CYMTF) regarding the future of the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP), and welcomed the proposed timeline to convene a dedicated CYMTF meeting.
Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan stated that, in his capacity as Representative of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP), and Co-Chair of the 10th Commonwealth Youth Ministerial Task Force, he emphasized Pakistan’s position on the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP). He highlighted that the Commonwealth Youth Fund must remain financially separate and be used exclusively for CYP activities, ensuring transparency and dedicated support for youth-led initiatives.
He also underlined that the Commonwealth Youth Programme should continue to function as a core Secretariat-led initiative, providing coordination and strategic direction to youth-driven efforts that promote democratic, economic, and environmental resilience in line with the Commonwealth Strategic Plan 2025–2030. Furthermore, Pakistan acknowledged the ongoing process to strengthen the institutional position of CYP and expressed anticipation for receiving the detailed draft proposal.
Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan emphasized that strengthening the Commonwealth Youth Programme is not only essential for Pakistani youth but also for young people globally, as today’s youth are the future leaders, innovators, and changemakers of the world. He highlighted that empowering youth through coordinated international initiatives will foster sustainable development, economic opportunities, and global collaboration for generations to come.
Further discussing included Chairman highlighted Pakistan’s flagship entrepreneurship initiative, PMYBALS, the country’s largest youth financing program, targeting PKR 200 billion in FY 2025–26 to benefit over 450,000 young entrepreneurs, including a 25% quota for women, and requested the Secretariat’s technical support to enhance skills for aspiring women entrepreneurs. He also emphasized the Green Youth Movement, with climate-focused youth clubs in 137 universities, and the National Volunteer Corps for disaster risk reduction and climate resilience.
Also included the integration of the Commonwealth E-Learning Platform with Pakistan’s Digital Youth Hub, and a follow-up on the invitation to the Commonwealth Secretary-General to visit Pakistan at a mutually convenient time.
The Commonwealth Secretariat welcomed Pakistan’s leadership on youth empowerment, climate action, and entrepreneurship, with Dr. Arjoon Suddhoo emphasizing the importance of Pakistan’s youth-driven initiatives and committing continued technical support to strengthen Commonwealth-Pakistan collaboration.
The meetings emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to youth-led economic diplomacy, international cooperation, and strengthened Commonwealth engagement to unlock global opportunities for Pakistani youth.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
