Youth are the future of any nation, and their guidance and development are the cornerstone of national prosperity. With this vision, on 30 May 2024, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Mr Fahad Shahbaz Warraich was appointed as the focal person for the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme. This appointment was not merely a ceremonial honour, but a practical commitment to providing equal opportunities, a supportive environment, and a dignified future for the youth of Pakistan.
Within a year, Mr Fahad Shahbaz, through his professional competence and dedication, directly impacted the lives of over 600,000 young people and positively influenced more than 2.2 million indirectly.

A new spirit in PM’s Youth Programme

Immediately after his appointment, Mr Fahad Shahbaz launched a sustainable and comprehensive support framework. Under his leadership, Prime Minister’s Youth Development Centres across Punjab were reactivated. These centres played a vital role in the personal development of over 80,000 students, offering thousands of scholarships, employment and internship opportunities, and entrepreneurship training programmes.
To counter misinformation among youth and to promote policy dialogue, Fahad Shahbaz visited over 60 universities in Punjab. He introduced students to the newly launched Digital Youth Hub app by the Prime Minister and gathered feedback from over 150,000 young individuals to shape the National Youth Policy. Furthermore, he organised more than 15 national summits and conferences through public-private partnerships, equipping millions with leadership, networking, and skills development opportunities.

Immediate solutions to youth challenges

Fahad Shahbaz initiated youth gatherings and open forums to address youth concerns directly. Complaint boxes and cells were set up in universities to resolve student issues. He also participated in final-year project reviews and facilitated industrial linkages for students.

Promoting sports

To promote e-gaming at a national level, the national round of the Free Fire World Cup was organised. Efforts were also made to develop sports such as martial arts and chess. Supporting young athletes who represented Pakistan globally remained one of his priorities.

Environmental protection and educational awareness

To address climate change, Fahad Shahbaz led the Green Youth Movement, planting over one million trees across Punjab. He introduced training programmes in universities on kitchen gardening, plastic recycling, and waste management. Thousands of students received field training on water conservation and environmental awareness, while cleanliness campaigns became a regular student activity.
Seminars were held in cities including Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and Peshawar to raise awareness about anti-harassment laws, financial literacy, cryptocurrency, taxation, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), policymaking, and research ethics. To promote freelancing and startup culture, interactions with young entrepreneurs were facilitated and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were established. Hundreds of startups received legal support, mentorship, and funding. Youth desks were also set up in Business Facilitation Centres to enhance accessibility to the Prime Minister’s Youth Loan Scheme.

International representation of Pakistani youth

Fahad Shahbaz played a significant role in representing Pakistani youth on international forums. He attended the Commonwealth Asia Youth Forum in Malaysia, the World Youth Festival in Uzbekistan, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa, COP29 in Azerbaijan, and visited Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, Dubai, Qatar, and Australia.
In Malaysia, he proposed the establishment of a Youth Alliance for Commonwealth Asian countries, whose secretariat was eventually established in Pakistan. During the Samoa meeting, under Fahad’s leadership, Pakistan hosted youth ministers from over eight countries. In Saudi Arabia, he proposed Lahore as a Youth Capital during meetings with the OIC.
At the Bett Conference in the United Kingdom, Fahad Shahbaz met with representatives of Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Intel, inviting them to invest in Pakistan. To establish global chapters of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, liaison offices were set up in more than 12 international universities.

Formation of the National Youth Council

Thanks to Fahad Shahbaz’s tireless efforts, Pakistan witnessed the formation of its first-ever National Youth Council. This council includes representation from every province and division, as well as from women, the transgender community, and minorities. In January 2025, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif officially administered the oath to the elected representatives of the council.

Commonwealth Asia Youth Alliance Secretariat in Pakistan

Under Fahad Shahbaz’s leadership, another milestone was achieved with the establishment of the permanent secretariat of the Commonwealth Asia Youth Alliance in Islamabad. Initially presented as a proposal in Kuala Lumpur, the forum was launched in Malaysia to highlight the voices of Asian youth on a global platform such as the Commonwealth. Through effective diplomatic lobbying, strategic planning, and strong leadership, Fahad turned this proposal into reality. The secretariat’s inauguration was personally conducted by Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and officially endorsed by the Commonwealth Secretary-General. This historic achievement cements Pakistan’s leadership role in shaping the future of youth in the region.

Awards and global recognition

In recognition of his contributions, Fahad Shahbaz was awarded the Prime Minister’s Youth Award on International Youth Day, 12 August 2024. Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland also honoured him with the title of Commonwealth Youth Delegate and praised his efforts on a global scale.

Advocate for Kashmir and Palestine

Fahad Shahbaz raised a strong voice for the oppressed people of Kashmir and Palestine on international platforms. He highlighted the Kashmir issue effectively and became a prominent advocate for their rights. He also exposed the ongoing Israeli atrocities in Palestine and awakened the conscience of the international community.

Youth: Pakistan’s present, not just future

Fahad Shahbaz believes that youth are not just the future of Pakistan—they are its present. Trusting their potential and guiding them is the path to national development. With over a decade of service in youth welfare, his tireless efforts have laid the foundation for a brighter future for Pakistani youth. Under his leadership, the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme has showcased the capabilities of Pakistan’s youth not only at home but on global platforms, marking a moment of pride for the nation.