Sindh strengthens youth development through public-private partnership symposium

By Our Correspondent

LAHORE — Shaping Tomorrow: A Public–Private Partnership Symposium on Increasing Investments for Youth Development was held on Thursday at Beach Luxury Hotel, Karachi, bringing together over 200 participants from government, the private sector, academia, civil society, and youth-focused organizations from various districts of Sindh.

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The event was organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Pathfinder International, in collaboration with the Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Government of Sindh with the aim of strengthening collaboration for advancing youth development in Sindh. Speaking as the Chief Guest, Mr. Munawar Ali Mahesar, Secretary, Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Government of Sindh, highlighted the importance of investing in young people, and shared that around 26 district-level youth centers have been established across Sindh with a total allocation of PKR one billion, and underscored ongoing efforts to connect youth with industry through partnerships with chambers of commerce and industrial platforms. He emphasized the need to create pathways that allow young people to find their own way and contribute meaningfully to the province’s development.

Additional Secretary Dr. Asad Ishaque of the Sports and Youth Affairs Department, and Mr. S.M. Habibullah, Deputy Director, Directorate of Youth Affairs, provided insights into the government’s approach to public–private partnerships for youth empowerment. They stressed that the people for whom policies are being made must have a voice in them and welcomed the private sector and youth to come forward with their questions, ideas, and innovations. Mr. Habibullah further explained that to bridge trust deficits, private sector funds would remain under their own control to ensure transparency.

Addressing the scale of investment required, Mr. Golden Mulilo, Head of UNFPA Sindh Sub Office in Karachi stressed that youth development must be a strategic priority. “The need is immense and cannot be met without strong public–private partnerships,” he said. “Youth development is not a challenge but a smart investment, young people are our future workforce, customers and leaders. Let us make Sindh a youth-friendly investment path and ensure every young person has the opportunity to find their own way.”

Panel discussions during the event focused on strengthening public–private partnerships and ensuring youth inclusion in a rapidly transforming digital future. Speakers discussed issues of trust, transparency, and meaningful youth engagement in policy and program design.

The symposium also provided a platform for small-scale youth-led projects to showcase their initiatives and innovations and concluded with a call for continued collaboration between the public and private sectors to support youth development initiatives across Sindh.