Patricia Scotland, the Commonwealth secretary-general, completed a successful visit to Pakistan, marked by a series of significant events.
During her visit, Patricia Scotland attended the Young Entrepreneurs Award Ceremony at the Prime Minister’s Office on 31 July 2024. The event celebrated the achievements of dynamic young entrepreneurs.
On the same day, she, along with the Chairman of the Prime Minister Youth Programme (PMYP), Rana Mashood Ahmad Khan, visited the National University of Science & Technology (NUST). They addressed faculty and students, emphasising the importance of research and development. The delegation also toured the National Science & Technology Park and School of Interdisciplinary Engineering & Sciences, where they explored state-of-the-art facilities, including a supercomputing centre and biomechanics labs.
On 1 August 2024, the Secretary-General inaugurated six new initiatives under the PMYP at the Prime Minister’s Office. These initiatives include the Commonwealth Asia Youth Alliance (CAYA), a Digital Learning Portal, and an AI education programme in collaboration with the British Council and Intel Corporation. During this ceremony, Rana Mashood was honoured with the prestigious “Commonwealth Youth Champion” award for his dedication to empowering young people in Pakistan.
Patricia Scotland’s visit also featured a cultural component, as she visited Lok Virsa in Islamabad. The visit highlighted Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage and the importance of preserving and promoting it on the global stage.
International Youth Day
On the occasion of International Youth Day, Prime Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif participated as a special guest in the event organised by the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) in Islamabad on 12 August.
The prime minister of Pakistan inaugurated the Commonwealth Asia Youth Alliance Secretariat (CAYY), Digital Learning Portal (DLP), Green Youth Movement, AI for Youth and National Volunteer Corps.
Talking to the media at the Youth Festival organised to celebrate International Youth Day at Pak China Friendship Center, Chairman (PMYP) Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan said the government was taking various initiatives to highlight the potential and provide more employment and other opportunities to the youth.
Chairman PMYP highlighted several existing and upcoming initiatives under the PMYP, including empowering future generations. “Let us work together to ensure that the digital pathways they pursue today lead to a more prosperous and sustainable future for all”, he said.
The writer is a digital media executive at the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme.
