In the modern economy, qualified individuals are equal to economic dividends. In a recent report, the World Bank corroborated that Pakistan, with over 64% of its population, under the age of 30, holds one of the greatest demographic opportunities in the region. Comparatively, countries like Bangladesh, Malaysia, China, and Vietnam have leveraged their youth to drive economic transformations through strategic investment in education, industry, IT, and entrepreneurship.
Yet, Pakistan, despite having nearly all essential ingredients such as natural resources, human capital, geographic advantage, and global connectivity, is still on its way to harnessing its youth potential to lift the nation out of poverty and towards sustainable prosperity. Per se the core of the challenge is not a scarcity of opportunities or resources but the absence of a cohesive working culture, supported by progressive, inclusive, and actionable policies that ignite and sustain national productivity.
Looking around, the youth of Pakistan today is not deprived of platforms or avenues. From the fertile agricultural plains of Punjab, contributing around 60-70% of Pakistan’s total agricultural output, the mineral-rich mountains of Balochistan, holding nearly 90% of the country’s mineral resources, the industrial zones of Sindh, home to Karachi which generates about 20-25% of Pakistan’s GDP, to the natural tourism corridors of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, which account for over 70% of domestic tourism traffic and possess the untapped potential for eco-tourism and adventure sports, each region is uniquely positioned to drive national growth.
The country’s agriculture sector is not only vast but primed for modernization through science and technology (S&T) applications such as precision farming, biotechnology, and smart irrigation, which can create jobs and increase exports. Simultaneously, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector has expanded, offering certifications in various demand-driven trades. Yet, these sectors remain fragmented without a unified Technical Education Policy that ensures consistency, relevance, and linkage with market demands.
In parallel, Pakistan’s industrial landscape, from textiles to surgical instruments, holds immense local and global promise, while the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector has become the backbone of domestic employment. However, SMEs face challenges in scaling due to policy gaps, lack of financing, and technological limitations. A robust SME Policy Framework is crucial to simplify regulations, increase access to affordable credit, and encourage innovation at the local industry level.
On the global front, IT and digital economies have opened unprecedented doors. Pakistan has already established itself as a growing hub of freelancers, e-commerce entrepreneurs, and software developers, serving international markets. But without a future-focused IT Policy to enhance cybersecurity, infrastructure, digital literacy, and international partnerships, this momentum risks stagnation.
Importantly, these opportunities must be inclusive. Women and marginalized communities remain significantly underrepresented across all sectors. Despite making up nearly half of the population, female participation in the workforce is still alarmingly low due to social barriers, safety concerns, and limited support systems.
A special focus on gender-responsive policies is essential, ensuring safe workplaces, access to childcare, remote work options, and leadership development for women and girls. Similarly, rural youth in far-flung areas often lack access to urban-centered opportunities, despite having unique local resources. There is a dire need to build regional equity through infrastructure development, digital connectivity, and targeted regional funding so that no province, district, or community is left behind in the national growth story.
Moreover, Pakistan is not operating in isolation. Global opportunities are expanding rapidly through international trade agreements, remote work platforms, e-commerce exports, global startup ecosystems, and funding from international organizations such as the World Bank, UNDP, ADB, and various bilateral donors.
Youth must be equipped to participate in these global networks through specialized training in global standards, languages, cross-border digital payments, intellectual property rights, and international marketing strategies. In this context, a dynamic Trade Policy is essential to promote local products, attract foreign investment, and integrate Pakistani businesses into regional and global supply chains.
Despite these countless avenues, resources, and opportunities, the binding factor missing is the will to create, encourage, and sustain a productive, innovative, and collaborative work culture. A culture where work is not seen as merely survival, but as contribution, purpose, and national pride. Without embedding this mindset into our homes, schools, workplaces, and governance, poverty, unemployment, and social unrest will remain deeply rooted, no matter how advanced our policies become.
To unlock this potential and realize the spirit ofQuo Non-Ascendam, three strategic actions are essential. First, there must be a National Productivity and Work Ethic Campaign, aimed at reshaping societal attitudes towards labor, entrepreneurship, and innovation, with an emphasis on dignity in every form of work. This campaign should be led across media, education, and policy circles to normalize ambition and self-reliance as core national values.
Second, Pakistan needs to build integrated pipelines from education to employment, ensuring that graduates of TVET programs, universities, and online courses are seamlessly connected to real industries, internships, remote work, and startup incubators, both domestically and globally.
Third, we must empower local enterprises to become global players, providing tailored support for each region’s unique industries ranging from Balochistan’s minerals and Sindh’s handicrafts to Punjab’s agribusiness and KP’s tourism, with technology, financing, and export facilitation.
Pakistan’s youth do not lack resources, platforms, or opportunities. What they require is visionary leadership, inclusive policy frameworks, and a national culture that champions hard work, creativity, and resilience. The path forward is clear, and the possibilities are endless. With a collective shift in mindset and strategic execution, Pakistan can finally ask itself, with confidence and purpose, to what heights can we not ascend?
