PESHAWAR: Edifiers Youth Network (EYN) has announced a one-week Peshawar Youth Festival (PYF) to start from April 7 with the aim to work towards development of the youth into a resourceful human capital.

Speaking at a press conference at Peshawar Press Club on Wednesday, the festival organisers said that EYN was a network of youth-led organisations aimed to engage, empower and connect the youth. The festival’s agenda includes awareness and education of youth, accessible employment, financial inclusion and recreational and growth opportunities.

Those who shared views about the purpose of the festival included Zainab Azmat, Ms Maleeha, Ms Tahira, Muslim Shah, Adil Rafiq, business development officers, and Kabir Khan, a sports consultant.

They said that the festival would be held from April 7 to 15 wherein the activities would be held at different venues, including the University of Peshawar, National Incubation Centre, sports complex and at least 12 private sector universities.

Ms Azmat said that the main components of the festival included sensitisation campaign and formation of youth clubs for students in higher educational institutes to bring forth the best brains of Peshawar to work towards creating a network of empowered youth. She said that these people would play a significant part in positive transformation of the country.

She said that the students would be trained through various awareness sessions. She said that the youth work exhibition would bring together startups, projects and small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The aim is to create linkages between them and potential donors, sponsors and investors.

She said that the recreational aspects of PYF include Peshawar funfair and T10 cricket tournament. The former is a family-focused socialising opportunity for the local people. The funfair will have stalls allotted to SMEs and individuals dealing with fast-moving consumer goods, fashion, home decor and entertainment, including family games and more. It will showcase the work of talented artisans from across Pakistan. It will also integrate cultural performances and folk music.

Ms Azmat said that the most thrilling component of PYF would be the T10 cricket tournament, which was aimed at promoting sports in KP. She said that EYN intended to play its role in creation of a just, inclusive, tolerant and prosperous society through the festival.

Published in Dawn, March 21st, 2019