ISLAMABAD: For the first time in country’s history Prime Minister Imran Khan has established the National Youth Council.
According to a notification issued by cabinet division, PM Khan will be the patron-in-chief and Chief Minister Punjab Ch Usman Buzdar will be the chairman of the 33-member youth council.
Influential persons in the fields of sports, education, religion, economy, arts and culture and Pakistan army have also been added in it.
Major Tanvir Shafi, the veteran soldier who had fought in the Operation Zarb-e-Azb, is amongst the prominent members of the council.
Cricketers Hassan Ali, Sana Mir, Artists Hamza Ali Abbasi and Mahira Khan, K-2 climber Samina Beg and differently-abled Muneeba Mazari have been added in the council to play their active role.
Shazia Batool, an artist hailing from Balochistan, national footballer Karishma Ali and first she-male news anchor Marvia Malik have also been selected for membership of the youth council.
Besides, all provincial ministers for youth affairs (from four provinces, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan), cricketer Hassan Ali and female cricketer Sana Mir have been included in the council.
“The council’s agenda will be uplifting youths for development and prosperity…Youths will be added to the decision-making process at the national level,” Dar said, adding that the council will coordinate and work jointly with provincial governments and the federal government.
In this regard, CM Buzdar said following the instructions of PM Khan he assumed the responsibility of youth welfare eight months ago.
Prime Minister’s Youth Affairs Program will launch a National Youth Development Index by conducting a comprehensive survey of issues facing the youth across the country.
According to an official, the survey will help to highlight the issues of youth and make a comprehensive national level strategy to address these issues with input from stakeholders concerned.
He said it will be a door to door survey to dig out problems of the youth in various sectors including education, health and unemployment. He said the main objective behind this plan is to give maximum benefit to the country’s youth.
“The council’s agenda will be uplifting youths for development and prosperity…Youths will be added to the decision-making process at the national level,” he said, adding that the council will coordinate and work jointly with provincial governments and the federal government.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday met Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar and Governor Punjab Chaudhry Sarwar.
During the meetings, the Punjab CM and the Governor Punjab briefed the prime minister on the current political situation in the province.
Chairman Executive Council South Punjab Province Tahir Bashir Cheema was also present in the meeting. Matters pertaining to South Punjab province also came under discussion in the meeting. – NNI