ISLAMABAD (GNP): The Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) is setting up a dedicated office within the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), aimed at building closer ties between government, the private sector and young people through PMYP’s Digital Youth Hub (DYH) — an online platform linking youth to jobs, internships, training and entrepreneurship opportunities.
The office will act as a liaison point, encouraging ICCI’s member businesses to list openings, internships, training slots and mentorship opportunities on DYH, while giving young people a more direct line into private-sector jobs and industry contacts.
The goal, organizers say, is to build a steadier pipeline of talent for companies, close the gap between what employers need and what young job-seekers currently offer, and give youth more exposure to workplaces, career paths and entrepreneurial options.
PMYP Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan unveiled the plan during a Friday visit to ICCI, made to congratulate its newly elected leadership. He framed the partnership as a practical link between the business community and the country’s young workforce, one meant to help more young people move from seeking jobs to creating them. Advisor to the PM on Tourism, Sardar Yassir Ilyas Khan, accompanied him. Rana Mashhood presented garlands and bouquets to incoming ICCI President Mohammad Zikria Akbar Zia, Senior Vice President Mohammad Ashfaq Hussain Chatha, Vice President Mohammad Waqas Khan, and Executive Committee members Mohammad Israr Mishwani, Mohammad Nauman and Rana Istikhar Ali Khan.
He noted that Rs262.5 billion has been earmarked under the PM’s Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Programme for startups, young entrepreneurs and agricultural ventures, and asked chambers of commerce to set up support systems to help young applicants put together business plans and navigate the loan process.
He placed particular emphasis on boosting women’s share of youth financing — currently around 11–12 percent — to at least 25 percent, and asked the business community to back more opportunities for young women across jobs, business-building and training.
Rana Mashhood also touched on access to education, pointing to efforts such as the Pakistan Education Endowment Fund, Danish Schools, the Pakistan Danish Authority and a planned Danish University, and asked businesses to get behind the “Friends of Danish” effort by sponsoring education for children in need.
ICCI President Mohammad Zikria Akbar Zia responded positively, pledging the Chamber’s support for youth-focused employment and entrepreneurship efforts and encouraging member companies to get involved. The partnership is expected to give businesses easier access to young talent while connecting youth to jobs, internships, mentorship and industry training through the combined reach of ICCI and DYH.
Vice President Mohammad Waqas Khan and Executive Committee member Saddaf Asim Abbasi also spoke about youth development and the Chamber’s role in it.
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Before the main proceedings, Rana Mashhood offered Fateha for the late mother of ICCI Vice President Mohammad Waqas Khan. Council members Mian Akram Farid and Chaudhry Masood, Executive Committee member Nageena Khaliq, and numerous members of the business community were also present.
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.
