Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 4 June 2026
UNIC-Islamabad
4 June 2026
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UNICEF
PRESS RELEASE
Pur Azm Pakistan Launched to Connect Millions of Young People to Skills, Employment and Opportunities
Islamabad, 4 June 2026 – The Government of Pakistan, through the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP), in partnership with UNICEF and Generation Unlimited (GenU), launched Pur Azm Pakistan, a national platform designed to expand access to skills, employment, entrepreneurship, and economic opportunities for young people.
“Pakistan’s young people represent the country’s greatest strength and opportunity,” said Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme. “Through Pur Azm, we are building a coordinated national system that connects education, skills and employment. This reflects our commitment to ensuring that every young person can access meaningful pathways to opportunity and contribute to national growth and prosperity.”
Pakistan is home to one of the world’s largest youth populations, with nearly 67 per cent of its population under age 30. Yet an estimated 32 million young people are not in education, employment or training. Pur Azm seeks to address this challenge by bringing together government, the private sector, development partners and young people to expand pathways to skills development, employment and entrepreneurship, particularly for girls and young people from underserved communities.
“Pakistan has a historic opportunity to turn its youth population into a powerful demographic dividend by enabling pathways from learning to earning at scale,” said Pernille Ironside, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan. “Pur Azm Pakistan is a transformative step towards building the systems and partnerships needed to expand skills and economic opportunity for all young people, especially those facing the greatest barriers.”
The launch also marked the establishment of Friends of GenU Pakistan, a platform that brings together businesses committed to investing in the future of Pakistan's young people. Through partnerships that support skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation and work-based learning, the platform will help expand opportunities for young people to successfully transition from education to employment.
“Pur Azm Pakistan and Friends of GenU Pakistan demonstrate how government, business and young people can come together to build a scalable model for skills, entrepreneurship and employment, positioning the country as a global leader in unlocking youth potential for inclusive economic growth,” said Kevin Frey, Chief Executive Officer of Generation Unlimited.
The launch featured a Learn-to-Earn Marketplace, showcasing youth-led enterprises, innovations and entrepreneurship solutions from across Pakistan, highlighting the talent, creativity and potential of young people.
A high-level dialogue on “Bridging Ambition and Opportunity” brought together policymakers, private sector leaders and young people to explore pathways to digital employment, green economy opportunities, skills reform, and entrepreneurship.
Pur Azm and Friends of GenU Pakistan will expand pathways to skills, employment and entrepreneurship for young people across the country. Together, they aim to help millions of young people successfully transition from learning to earning and contribute to Pakistan’s future growth and prosperity.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world's toughest places, to reach the world's most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child,
everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.
For more information about UNICEF’s work in Pakistan, visit: https://www.unicef.org/pakistan/
For further information, please contact:
Amina Sarwar, UNICEF Pakistan,
Email: amsa...@unicef.org , Tel: +92 312 5190 383
