PM hopeful current IMF loan to be the last
• Asks youth to work hard to end cycle
• Praises CII for highlighting ‘danger of hate’
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif while referring to the staff-level agreement reached with IMF recently said that through this programme Pakistan had achieved stability.
However, he emphasised, this should be kept in mind that it is a loan “which we have to get rid of”.
Launching Prime Minister’s Digital Youth Hub, PM Shehbaz hoped that this might be the last programme and asked the youth to work hard as they could play role in this regard.
He highlighted that during the last three weeks, the exchequer had received Rs34 billion due to the government’s efforts to speed up the tax cases pending in tribunals for years.
He reaffirmed his commitment to equip the youth with advanced technological skills, emphasising the importance of their role in driving the nation’s development and prosperity. He assured that all necessary resources will be allocated to provide the best training opportunities, enabling young people to become productive contributors to society.
He reminded the youth of a challenge as well as a great opportunity, saying “If we provide training of Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence-led modern technology, they can contribute a lot for the development and prosperity of Pakistan.”
The premier stated, “Youth are the biggest assets of Pakistan, and we can serve this great asset by equipping them with the best state-of-the-art technologies.”
Chairman PM Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan said that through the PM Digital Hub, the youth would take benefit in various sectors including sports, tourism, green economy, etc.
Unicef representative Sharmeela Rasool, Semiconductor Group chief Naveed Sherwani and UN Resident Coordinator Muhammad Yahya also spoke.
CII golden jubilee
Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz lauded the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) for shaping the nation’s ideological identity and highlighting the dangers of hate and division in society.
Addressing the CII’s Golden Jubilee ceremony, he stressed that unity and collective efforts could turn dreams of progress into reality, adding that technology had revolutionised the world.
“Islam offers the path of ijtihad to address modern challenges,” he said.
The premier hailed the Council for its achievements, including the establishment of Islamic banking, which has inspired non-Muslim countries to adopt interest-free system. He also acknowledged the CII’s efforts to curb extremism and urged scholars to strengthen the nation’s defence and development.
PM Shehbaz will address the youth at a ceremony to be organised by the ministry of information and broadcasting today (Friday).
The dignified ceremony “Rab-i-Zuljalal ka Ehsaan Pakistan and National Youth and Ulema Convention” will be held at Jinnah Convention Centre.
The event is being organised in connection with Jumatul Wida, especially the 27th night of Ramazanul Mubarak. Pakistan was created on Laylat al-Qadr on Aug 14, 1947.
Prime Minister Shehbaz in his address will highlight the role of youth in the progress of Pakistan, government’s reform measures for youth and the future strategy.
He will express his views on the basic ideology for the creation of Pakistan and on the country’s importance in terms of its geography, defence and economy.
The participants will be informed about the government’s different ongoing projects for education, employment, digital economy and business.
Published in Dawn, March 28th, 2025
