Islamabad, October 2,2026: The Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) will establish a dedicated office at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) to strengthen linkages between the government, private sector and youth and facilitate access to employment, internships, training and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Chairman PMYP Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan announced the initiative during his visit to the ICCI on Friday to congratulate its newly elected leadership.
The dedicated office will serve as a coordination and facilitation point between PMYP and the business community. It will encourage ICCI member companies to register on the Digital Youth Hub (DYH) and post employment opportunities, internships, training programmes, mentorship and other opportunities for young people.
The initiative is also aimed at helping businesses build a stronger talent pipeline, identify skilled young professionals and bridge the gap between industry requirements and youth skills.
Rana Mashhood said the collaboration would provide a practical bridge between Pakistan’s business community and its young workforce and help transform young people from job seekers into job creators.
Advisor to the Prime Minister on Tourism Sardar Yassir Ilyas Khan also accompanied him.
During the visit, Rana Mashhood congratulated newly elected ICCI President Mohammad Zikria Akbar Zia, Senior Vice President Mohammad Ashfaq Hussain Chatha, Vice President Mohammad Waqas Khan and Executive Committee members Mohammad Israr Mishwani, Mohammad Nauman and Rana Istikhar Ali Khan. He also presented bouquets to the newly elected office-bearers.
The PMYP chairman said Rs262.5 billion in financing was being made available under the Prime Minister’s Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Programme for startups, young entrepreneurs and the agriculture sector.
He urged chambers of commerce to establish facilitation mechanisms to guide young applicants in preparing business plans, completing loan applications and fulfilling other requirements.
Rana Mashhood particularly stressed the need to increase women’s participation in youth financing, saying the government aimed to raise their share of total lending from around 11-12 percent to at least 25 percent.
He also called on the business community to support greater opportunities for young women in employment, entrepreneurship, training and business development.
The PMYP chairman highlighted the importance of equal access to quality education through initiatives including the Pakistan Education Endowment Fund, Danish Schools, Pakistan Danish Authority and the proposed Danish University.
He appealed to the business community to support the “Friends of Danish” initiative by adopting or supporting the education of deserving children.
ICCI President Mohammad Zikria Akbar Zia welcomed the initiative and assured the Chamber’s full cooperation in strengthening youth empowerment, employment and entrepreneurship.
He said ICCI members would be encouraged to actively participate in creating opportunities for the country’s young workforce.
The collaboration between PMYP and ICCI is expected to facilitate access to employment, internships, industry-led training, mentorship, networking, entrepreneurship support and other economic opportunities through the combined outreach of the Chamber and the Digital Youth Hub.
Vice President Mohammad Waqas Khan and Executive Committee member Saddaf Asim Abbasi also spoke on youth development and the role of the Chamber.
Earlier, Rana Mashhood offered Fateha for the departed soul of the mother of ICCI Vice President Mohammad Waqas Khan.
ICCI Council Members Mian Akram Farid and Chaudhry Masood, Executive Committee member Nageena Khaliq and a large number of business community representatives were also present.
