Government to Launch One Million Youth Social Mobilizer Initiative -

The government plans to launch a nationwide initiative to engage one million young Pakistanis as social mobilizers, Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal said on Tuesday.

Speaking at the concluding ceremony of the Overseas Summer Scholar Internship and YPDC Residential Fellowship, Iqbal said the initiative would focus on addressing major social challenges, including the country’s estimated 25 million out-of-school children, low literacy rates, childhood stunting and malnutrition.

Under the programme, young volunteers will work in their communities to encourage positive social and behavioural change. Their activities will include promoting education, health and nutrition awareness, discouraging drug and tobacco use, encouraging healthy lifestyles and supporting environmental protection through large-scale plantation campaigns.

Iqbal said the programme would be formally launched on November 9, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expected to launch the initiative. He noted that young people make up nearly 60% of Pakistan’s population and should be active partners in the country’s development.

The minister said Pakistan’s development challenges could not be addressed by the government alone and stressed the importance of involving citizens, particularly young people, in national development efforts.

He also highlighted the government’s longer-term economic ambitions, saying Pakistan aims to transform itself into a $1 trillion economy by 2035. He stressed that sustained economic progress would require political and social stability, peace and continuity in policies.

The initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to improve human development indicators and mobilise Pakistan’s large young population to contribute to social and economic development at the grassroots level.-ERMD

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