Strong Youth Means a Strong Pakistan, Says Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri

ISLAMABAD: Senator Samina Mumtaz Zehri has said that Pakistan’s youth are the country’s most valuable asset, greatest hope and guarantee of a brighter future, stressing that a strong and prosperous Pakistan cannot be built without empowering its young generation.

Speaking to a delegation of young people on the occasion of World Youth Day 2026, she said that talented youth exist in every province, district and region of Pakistan, including Balochistan, and that the main difference lies in access to opportunities and facilities.

“Pakistani youth are second to none. They only need opportunities, proper direction and a supportive environment to demonstrate their abilities,” she said.

Senator Zehri said young Pakistanis were already demonstrating their capabilities in education, science and technology, sports, literature, arts, business, journalism, diplomacy and other fields. She urged the state and society to trust young people and provide them with equal opportunities to move forward.

She stressed the need for a comprehensive national youth policy aligned with modern-day requirements. Such a policy, she said, should go beyond announcements and provide young people with meaningful opportunities in education, skills development, employment, entrepreneurship, technology, research and leadership.

“Along with degrees, young people must have skills and opportunities,” she said.

Senator Zehri highlighted the importance of digital skills, artificial intelligence, information technology, freelancing, e-commerce, green technology and modern business skills alongside traditional education. She called for cooperation among the government, educational institutions and the private sector to create an environment where young people could become job creators rather than merely job seekers.

She said youth from remote and underdeveloped areas should receive the same opportunities available to young people in major cities.

“Every young person in every province, district and area of Pakistan, including Balochistan, has potential. The difference is only in opportunities and facilities,” she said.

According to Zehri, providing quality education, modern training, internet access, sports facilities, scholarships and employment opportunities could enable the country’s youth to significantly accelerate Pakistan’s development.

She said involving young people in national affairs was not merely a political or governmental requirement but a fundamental necessity for Pakistan’s future. Youth should be given meaningful representation in Parliament, policymaking, local governments, educational institutions, civil society and other national forums.

“The reins of Pakistan will ultimately be in the hands of the younger generation,” she said, adding that today’s youth would become tomorrow’s leaders, policymakers, scientists, teachers, diplomats, business leaders and heads of national institutions.

She also emphasised character building and leadership development among young people, saying investment in youth was effectively an investment in the country’s future.

Senator Zehri said Pakistani youth could also play an important role in promoting the country’s soft image internationally through sports, culture, education, technology, arts, social media and international platforms.

She described young Pakistanis as potential informal ambassadors who could present a positive, peaceful, talented and progressive image of the country to the world.

She further stressed the need to provide equal opportunities to young women and girls in education, skills development, entrepreneurship, leadership and decision-making, saying this would allow the country to utilise the potential of more than half of its population for national development.

Zehri urged the government, Parliament, educational institutions, private sector and civil society to formulate a comprehensive and coordinated strategy for youth development and turn Pakistan’s young population into strong human capital.

She congratulated young people across the country on World Youth Day and urged them to believe in their abilities, make education and skills their strength, maintain a positive outlook and play their full role in Pakistan’s development.