CAIRO:On Thursday, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif emphasized that the youth population and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are vital to economic development, stressing that investing in these sectors is key to building robust economies.
While addressing the 11th summit of the Developing Eight (D-8) Organisation for Economic Cooperation in Cairo, Sharif highlighted the importance of focusing on youth and SMEs for the socio-economic advancement of Pakistan. His remarks were aligned with the summit’s theme, “Investing in Youth and Supporting Small and Medium Enterprises,” which focuses on fostering resilient economies and promoting sustainable development among the D-8 member states.
“With more than 60% of our population under the age of 30, Pakistan possesses immense potential for innovation and economic growth,” Sharif stated. He emphasized that unlocking this potential requires providing the right skills, resources, and opportunities to the younger generation.
Since 2013, Pakistan’s Youth Programme has distributed over 600,000 laptops, granted thousands of scholarships, and trained a large number of individuals in fields like artificial intelligence, data analytics, and cybersecurity. “Pakistan now boasts one of the largest freelance communities globally. We are emphasizing mass-scale IT training to equip our youth with the skills needed to tap into the digital economy,” he added.
Sharif noted that the country’s efforts are aimed at transforming job seekers into job creators, citing the Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme, which has disbursed billions of rupees in loans to young Pakistanis to help them launch their businesses.
Furthermore, Sharif mentioned the government’s initiatives like Startup Pakistan and the National Innovation Award, which are designed to nurture a vibrant startup ecosystem by providing mentorship and funding for tech-driven ideas.
The Prime Minister also welcomed Azerbaijan as the newest member of the D-8, praising its leadership under President Ilham Aliyev and highlighting Azerbaijan’s potential to contribute significantly to the goals of the organization. He further announced that Pakistan’s cabinet had approved the implementation of the D-8 Preferential Trade Agreement and its protocol on the Dispute Settlement Mechanism, stressing the importance of connectivity as a key driver of peace and prosperity.
The summit, Sharif said, provides an excellent opportunity for D-8 nations to share best practices, pool resources, and create programs that benefit youth and SMEs across borders.
Middle East Peace and Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Sharif also touched on the ongoing conflict in Gaza, calling for an immediate ceasefire to end the violence and ensure peace and stability in the region. He condemned Israel’s military actions in Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank, and Syria, describing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza as one of the darkest chapters in modern history.
“The world must take decisive action to end the violence and ensure justice for the affected populations,” Sharif stated, adding that history would remember the bloodshed of innocents. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s full support for international efforts aimed at securing a ceasefire and highlighted the efforts of Qatar and Egypt in this regard.
Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s stance on the need for a just resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, advocating for a viable, sovereign, and contiguous Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with Jerusalem as its capital. He called on the international community to respond swiftly to the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, Lebanon, and the wider Middle East, stressing that the future of the region hangs in the balance.
In his speech, Turkish President Erdogan called for unity and reconciliation in Syria, advocating for the restoration of Syria’s territorial integrity, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian urged action to address the crises in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, emphasizing the religious and humanitarian duty to assist those suffering in these conflict zones.
