LAHORE: Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan has said Pakistan will nurture skills of children and youth based on their interests through the National Adolescent and Youth Policy and will increase IT exports from $2.5 billion to $25bn within four years.

He was addressing the inaugural ceremony of the ‘Employment Expo’ organised by Punjab University (PU) in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme at the Law College Ground on Monday.

On the occasion, PU VC Prof Dr Muhammad Ali Shah, Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Khalid Mahmood, State Bank of Pakistan’s Tariq Riaz, Director Career Counseling and Placement Centre Dr Fouzia Hadi Ali, faculty members, and a large number of students were present.

Mr Khan said in 2016 the world was saying that Pakistan would be among the top 30 economies of the world.

He said Pakistan is among the few countries that have an AI policy while adding youth in Pakistan are progressing in every field and that 800,000 (0.8m) young people have been registered on the Digital Youth Hub (DYH) within six months.

Says 0.8m youngsters registered on digital hub in six months

He said the DYH is a portal where no recommendation is required for employment, and that Pakistani youth are moving forward on merit.

He further said the National Youth Employment Policy would be launched within a month, and that the policy would encourage women and new companies. Prof Shah said PU is bringing together all market sectors under one roof to inform youth about the types of jobs currently required by the market.

He said recently an AI and IT job fair was also organised.

Tariq Riaz said PU has produced leaders in every field and globally, entrepreneurship is increasingly replacing traditional jobs.

He added that efforts are being made to ensure that financing does not become a barrier to good ideas.

He emphasised that no country can progress without the inclusion of women and that women should enhance their role in the practical field as well.

Dr Fouzia Hadi Ali said that PU’s Career Counseling and Placement Centre will continue to play its role in supporting students in the practical field.

Earlier, PU Oriental College in collaboration with the Embassy of Hungary in Islamabad, organised a symposium titled “Scholarly contributions of Sir Mark Aurel Stein (1862–1943)”.

The event paid tribute to the life and academic legacy of the renowned scholar, explorer, and archaeologist Sir Mark Aurel Stein.

Ambassador of Hungary Dr. Zoltán Varga was the guest of honour while PU VC Prof Shah and University of Mianwali VC Prof Dr Nadeem Sheikh were present.

In his address, Dr Varga admired the historic beauty, academic heritage, and cultural legacy of the Oriental College, calling it a symbol of shared scholarly values between Pakistan and Hungary.

Dr Nabila Rehman presented a copy of an original document written by Sir Mark Aurel Stein.

The symposium featured scholarly presentations and discussions by distinguished academics, shedding light on various dimensions of Sir Mark Aurel Stein’s research, explorations, and lasting impact on archaeology and oriental studies.

A tree-plantation ceremony was also held on the Oriental College premises, symbolising the enduring legacy of Sir Mark Aurel Stein and the University of the Punjab’s commitment to environmental sustainability and academic growth.

Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2026