Islamabad, February 17, 2026: Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, emphasized the government’s commitment to empowering youth and women as central to Pakistan’s economic revival during an event at the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday.
Addressing the gathering, he praised the Chamber’s proactive role in promoting a business-friendly environment and lauded the Women’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry for supporting female entrepreneurs through mentorship and guidance.
The ceremony featured the distribution of goods boxes among women to facilitate small business startups, an initiative organized by Hoorain Collection in collaboration with Munir Vocational Training & Job Placement Institute.
Rana Mashhood highlighted Pakistan’s strengthened economic outlook under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, noting that remittances have crossed $38 billion and are expected to exceed $40 billion, with global financial institutions increasingly recognizing Pakistan as an emerging economy. He added that the government plans to facilitate 2.1 million Pakistanis for overseas employment next year through structured skill development and international placements.
He also outlined the achievements of the Prime Minister’s Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme, which provides loans in three tiers: up to Rs. 5 lakh for startups, Rs. 15 lakh for growing businesses, and an enhanced upper limit of Rs. 2.5–3 crore. Beneficiaries have risen from 71,000 to over 271,000 in two years, with the loan portfolio projected to grow from Rs. 200 billion to Rs. 250–300 billion in the coming year. Women currently make up 11% of loan recipients, with plans to increase this to 25% through dedicated facilitation centres.
Rana Mashhood also announced the approval of Pakistan’s first Youth Employment Policy, mandating at least 35% female participation in the labor force, reaffirming the government’s support for youth and women entrepreneurship as a path to sustained economic growth.
Speaking at the event, Sardar Tahir Mehmood, President of ICCI, praised Rana Mashhood’s efforts in youth development and highlighted ICCI’s ongoing support for vocational training, entrepreneurship, and job creation. He emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in driving sustainable economic progress.
Samina Fazil, President of the Islamabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry, stressed that women entrepreneurs now have the opportunity to leverage government support, while Tahir Ayub, who served as master of ceremonies, highlighted women’s role in national development.
Ms. Umaira Gillani shared success stories of women who benefited from her mentorship. Other attendees included ICCI Vice President Irfan Chaudhry, executive members Fatima Azim, Zulqurnain Abbasi, Ishaq Sial, office bearers of the Traders Welfare Association, and a large number of women entrepreneurs.
