Pakistan Expands Youth And Women Entrepreneurship Initiatives

The government is intensifying efforts to empower youth and women as key drivers of economic growth, unveiling expanded loan schemes, skill development programs, and Pakistan’s first Youth Employment Policy.

Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, told the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) that under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan’s economic outlook has strengthened, with remittances surpassing $38 billion and projected to exceed $40 billion.

He said the government plans to facilitate 2.1 million Pakistanis for overseas employment next year through structured skill development and international placements.

Highlighting the Prime Minister’s Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme, he said loans now range from Rs5 lakh for startups, Rs1.5 million for growing businesses, and an upper limit raised from Rs7.5 million to Rs25.3 million. Beneficiaries have surged from 71,000 to more than 271,000, with the loan portfolio expected to reach Rs250–300 billion. Women currently account for 11% of recipients, with plans to raise it to 25% through dedicated facilitation centers.

The event included the distribution of goods boxes to women to help launch small businesses. The initiative was organized by Hoorain Collection in collaboration with Munir Vocational Training & Job Placement Institute, promoting women’s entrepreneurship and financial inclusion.

Rana Mashhood said the Youth Employment Policy mandates at least 35% female participation in the labor force. He stressed that empowering youth and women is key to sustained economic growth.

ICCI President Sardar Tahir Mehmood praised government support, highlighting public-private partnerships as essential for vocational training, job creation, and SME development.

Other attendees included Ms Samina Fazil, President of the Women Chamber, Tahir Ayub, Senior Vice President ICCI, Ms Umaira Gillani of Hoorain Collection, ICCI executives Irfan Chaudhry, Ms Fatima Azim, Zulqurnain Abbasi, Ishaq Sial, and numerous women entrepreneurs.

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