The atmosphere at the Pak-China Friendship Centre in Islamabad was charged with anticipation. This was not just another launch event—it was the beginning of a movement. On 26th March, 2025, The Digital Youth Hub (DYH) was officially unveiled, promising to transform the way young Pakistanis access opportunities for education, employment, and personal growth.
The hall was filled with students, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and global leaders, including beneficiaries of the Prime Minister’s loan and laptop schemes, diplomats, industry experts, and representatives from leading organizations like UNICEF and the United Nations. The energy was electric. This was more than the launch of an app; it was the launch of a vision for a digitally empowered future.
Rana Mashood, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, opened the event with a powerful speech, tracing Pakistan’s journey from its inception to this new digital era. He recalled how Allama Iqbal had dreamed of Pakistan, how the Lahore Resolution set its foundation, and how independence was its completion. Now, he declared, the time had come for “tameel”—the practical realization of that vision through digital innovation. “Takhleeq hui, takmeel hui, aur ab tameel ka waqt hai,” he urged, calling on the youth to seize the opportunities before them.
The momentum continued as key stakeholders, including representatives from NetSol and the Bank of Punjab, expressed their commitment to supporting this transformative initiative. Sharmeela Rasool of UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited emphasized Pakistan’s greatest strength its youth. With the right opportunities, she asserted, they could drive the nation to unparalleled success. Mohamed Yahya of the UN echoed this sentiment, praising the collaboration between the UN and the Pakistani government as a step toward sustainable development and empowerment.
Dr. Naveed Sherwani, Chairman and CEO of RapidSilicon, captured the essence of the initiative in a single phrase: “This is the digital democracy of opportunity.” He underscored the reality that youth can either be a country’s greatest asset or its greatest liability, depending on the skills they acquire. Digital Youth Hub, he explained, was designed to ensure that every young Pakistani, regardless of background, had access to the tools and resources they needed to succeed.
Then came the moment that defined the event. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took the stage, his words resonating with conviction and urgency. He did not just speak about the app—he made a commitment. A commitment to fight for the education, training, and employment of Pakistan’s youth, to break free from cycles of debt and dependency, and to build a self-sustaining, prosperous nation.
“Mein aap se wada karta hoon,” he declared, “ke apki taleem, apki training, aur apke izzatdar rozgaar ke liye, chahe woh Pakistan mein ho ya bahar, mein apni jaan laraonga.” His message
was clear: the future of Pakistan rested in the hands of its youth, and their dedication and resilience would determine the country’s trajectory. He invoked the words of Allama Iqbal, urging them to embrace challenges head-on: “Tamanna aabroo ki hai agar gulzar-e-hasti mein, toh kaanton mein ulajh kar zindagi karne ki khoo kar le.”
He went on to emphasize that this initiative was not just about launching an app—it was about delivering real, tangible change. He promised that Digital Youth Hub would not be a symbolic gesture but a functional platform with the resources and institutional backing needed to drive progress. “This will not remain just a namayishi (symbolic) thing. I will make sure that, with Allah’s blessing and the cooperation of the provinces, the necessary resources are provided to empower our youth.”
As his words echoed through the hall, the energy in the room intensified. This was more than an address; it was a call to action.
The event concluded with attendees exploring interactive booths, engaging in discussions, and networking with professionals and influencers. Thousands more joined online from across the world—India, France, the Middle East, and beyond—underscoring the global significance of this initiative.
As the audience departed, their expressions revealed more than just excitement. They reflected hope. A belief that they were on the brink of something transformative. The Digital Youth Hub is not just an app; it is a bridge between ambition and achievement, a tool designed to equip Pakistan’s youth with the means to shape their own future.
The revolution has begun. Now, it is up to Pakistan’s youth to seize it.
