PHA marks Independence Day across Punjab

PESHAWAR: The International Youth Day 2026 celebrations in Peshawar brought together young people, educationists, social workers, civil society representatives and government officials to recognise the contribution of youth and discuss ways to create greater opportunities for them. The programme was arranged by the Directorate of Youth Affairs, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, at Sahibzada Abdul Qayum Hall, University of Peshawar. Taj Muhammad Khan Tarand, Adviser to the Chief Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, attended the event as chief guest. Muhammad Asif, Secretary Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, was also present along with senior officials and youth representatives. The ceremony included the unveiling of a Youth Anthem, a panel discussion, youth-focused activities, success stories, live musical performances and the presentation of Youth Excellence Awards. The Youth Anthem was presented as a reflection of the aspirations, unity and enthusiasm of the province’s young generation. Addressing the participants, Mr Tarand said the provincial government was placing youth development among its key priorities under the leadership of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi. He said the government was focusing on providing young people with opportunities in education, skills, entrepreneurship and sports. He observed that the employment challenge could not be addressed through jobs alone and that young people needed access to finance and practical support to start businesses and build independent livelihoods. Referring to the Ehsaas Naujawan Programme, Mr Tarand said young men and women were being offered interest-free financing to establish businesses. Under the scheme, loans of up to Rs500,000 are available through Akhuwat, while the Bank of Khyber is providing financing of up to Rs5 million. He said the programme’s financial ceiling had been raised from Rs3 billion to Rs5bn, allowing more young people to benefit from the initiative. The adviser encouraged young people to take advantage of government schemes and use them to build sustainable sources of income. He said successful beneficiaries had demonstrated that financial support, combined with determination and the right skills, could help young people become economically independent and create employment for others. Mr Tarand also discussed the proposed new youth policy, saying the existing policy was formulated in 2016 and required revision in view of the changing needs of young people. According to him, the government had sought direct feedback from university students and other young people during the policy formulation process. Their suggestions, he said, would help shape a policy more closely aligned with the aspirations of the province’s youth. He said Rs500 million had been earmarked in the Annual Development Programme 2026-27 for implementation of the youth policy, with spending planned on training, exposure and other youth development activities. The government was also moving ahead with the establishment of Jawan Markaz in districts across the province, he said. The centres are intended to provide facilities including internet connectivity, computer laboratories, auditoriums and training spaces for young people. Speaking about sports, Mr Tarand said the government wanted to expand opportunities for young athletes and provide them with platforms to compete at national and international levels. He highlighted the performance of KP athlete Attaullah, who secured gold medals in the 100-metre and 200-metre events at the National Junior Championship and was later selected to represent Pakistan in the United States. The adviser said the government was also seeking wider participation in sports, with separate sporting activities organised for minority communities, madrassa students and transgender people. He added that plans were also being developed for inter-school and inter-collegiate games to give more young athletes an opportunity to identify and develop their potential. The Youth Excellence Awards formed another important part of the event. Awards and certificates of appreciation were presented to young achievers, social activists and individuals recognised for their contributions to society, community development and youth empowerment. Among those honoured were Hassan Nisar, Founder and CEO of Metrix Pakistan, and Ammad Ali, CEO of RankingGrow, besides several other young achievers from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The panel discussion focused on the challenges confronting young people and the opportunities available to them. Speakers and participants discussed education, skills development, entrepreneurship, technology, innovation and the need for greater exposure and participation in social and economic activities. Director Youth Affairs Abbas Khan Afridi said the event was organised to recognise the achievements of young people and provide them with a platform to express their views and share their experiences. He said the Directorate of Youth Affairs was working to connect young people with opportunities in skills development, education, entrepreneurship, sports and other areas. “KP’s youth have talent, energy and ideas. Our role is to provide them with the right platforms and opportunities so they can turn their potential into meaningful achievements,” Mr Afridi said. He added that the Directorate would continue to organise programmes across the province aimed at bringing young people together, encouraging learning and creating platforms where they could showcase their abilities. The event ended with live musical performances and a celebration of the achievements of the province’s young people. The International Youth Day celebrations underlined the importance of investing in youth and creating space for their participation in the social, economic and civic life of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The message of the event was clear: empowering young people today is essential to building a stronger and more progressive future for the province.