KARACHI — In a significant move aimed at strengthening youth empowerment and sports development in Sindh, Federal and Provincial stakeholders have agreed to join forces under a shared vision of progress and opportunity for young people across the province.

Sindh’s Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Sardar Muhammad Bakhsh Mahar, held a pivotal meeting with Fahad Shafiq, the Coordinator for the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) in Sindh. The meeting took place at the Sindh Secretariat in Karachi, where discussions centered on promoting youth development, well-being, and the strategic expansion of sports facilities and activities.

The dialogue reflected growing momentum behind efforts to bridge federal-provincial collaboration, especially in areas that directly impact the younger generation—a demographic that constitutes more than 60% of Pakistan’s population.

A New Phase of Coordination for Youth Empowerment

Both sides reached a consensus on working jointly to design and implement policies, programs, and initiatives aimed at empowering the youth. It was agreed that a comprehensive and inclusive action plan will soon be devised, incorporating the strengths and resources of both the Sindh provincial government and the federal PM Youth Programme.

Minister Mahar reaffirmed his department’s commitment to youth welfare, stating:

“The Sindh government stands firmly with all initiatives taken in the interest of our youth. We will ensure that every effort aimed at empowering young people gets our full support.”

He further emphasized that planning would not remain limited to ideas and promises but would soon be translated into practical strategies through in-depth consultations and sectoral engagement.

Strategic Briefing on PM Youth Programme

During the meeting, PMYP Coordinator Fahad Shafiq provided an in-depth briefing on the ongoing activities and achievements of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme. He highlighted the scope of PMYP initiatives in education, skills development, sports, and entrepreneurship, many of which have already started transforming the lives of young people in different parts of Pakistan.

Fahad Shafiq particularly pointed to programs such as:

• Kamyab Jawan Program (providing interest-free loans for startups and businesses)
• Skill for All (Hunarmand Pakistan) (offering vocational and technical training)
• Green Youth Movement
• National Youth Council (NYC) and youth engagement platforms
• And youth-centric sports development schemes

He stressed the need for inter-departmental collaboration to maximize the reach and impact of such programs in Sindh, especially in rural areas where access to resources remains limited.

Sports Department Takes an Active Role

Also present at the meeting were Munawar Ali Mahesar, Secretary of the Sindh Sports Department, and Syed Habibullah, Deputy Director, who expressed their department’s enthusiasm for aligning with federal youth initiatives.

Following the discussions, Minister Mahar directed his department to immediately begin sharing and integrating relevant program details from the PM Youth Programme. This includes full documentation of the PMYP’s action plans as well as the National Youth Council’s vision and structure.

“This coordination,” he said, “will help us form a unified and long-term policy to support youth advancement in sports, education, and employment. Only through a well-structured strategy can we achieve sustainable results.”

He reiterated that empowering youth is a multi-dimensional challenge that requires more than short-term interventions. Rather, it demands visionary policy, strategic investments, and institutional harmony between federal and provincial agencies.

A United Vision: Youth First

The meeting concluded on a high note, with both parties committing to regular consultations, coordination, and joint efforts to uplift the province’s youth. In the coming weeks, both sides are expected to finalize a formal Youth Empowerment and Sports Development Action Plan for Sindh, to be jointly launched.

Among the key themes expected in this upcoming plan are:

• Infrastructure Development: Establishment of sports complexes and youth centers in underserved districts.
• Skill Development: Technical training institutes and digital literacy initiatives.
• Entrepreneurship Support: Microfinancing and mentorship programs for youth-led startups.
• Inclusion: Special attention to youth from marginalized communities, especially girls and minorities.
• Talent Hunt Programs: To identify emerging athletes from schools and colleges and bring them into mainstream national programs.
• Green and Civic Engagement: Encouraging youth participation in climate change action, tree plantation, and community development.

This cross-governmental initiative comes at a time when the youth of Pakistan are seeking opportunities and platforms for growth more than ever. With unemployment, lack of career direction, and limited sports infrastructure plaguing many parts of Sindh, such cooperative steps are being welcomed as a long-awaited shift toward inclusive governance.

Long-Term Vision for Lasting Impact

Minister Mahar concluded by stressing the importance of continuity and commitment.

“The efforts we make today must have the strength to carry forward over the next decade. Youth empowerment is not a one-time campaign; it’s a national mission.”

Both sides agreed that youth-related policies must be shielded from political fluctuations, with a greater emphasis on institutionalized planning and transparent implementation.

With this meeting marking the start of deeper federal-provincial synergy, expectations are now high that Sindh’s youth will begin to see tangible improvements in opportunities for sports, skills training, and personal development—if the promises made in this meeting translate into timely and transparent execution.

As consultations move forward and a formal action plan is unveiled, Sindh could become a model province for youth development—a vision that, if realized, will resonate well beyond its borders.