Prime Minister’s Youth Program: A Dynamic Platform for Allama Iqbal’s Concept of Khudi (Selfhood)

Prime Minister’s Youth Program: A Dynamic Platform for Allama Iqbal’s Concept of Khudi (Selfhood)
(Asghar Ali Mubarak)
The Prime Minister’s Youth Program serves as a vital and dynamic platform for empowering the youth, aiming to translate Allama Iqbal’s concept of Khudi (Selfhood) and his philosophy of the Shaheen (the Eagle/soaring spirit) into practical reality.
Iqbal’s message is not merely a philosophy; it is a call to action, continuous struggle, and self-reliance. In the present era, this program is refining the potential of the youth and ensuring their meaningful contribution to national development.
The initiatives taken by the Prime Minister of Pakistan reaffirm the commitment that a bright future for the nation is only possible when the youth—by realizing Iqbal’s vision—bring honor to their country and people.

Developmental Initiatives for the Youth:

‘Uraan’ (Flight) Pakistan and Skill Development: By equipping the youth with modern technical and digital skills, the Prime Minister’s Youth Program provides them with contemporary employment opportunities. These efforts are akin to nurturing the Shaheen envisioned by Iqbal—a spirit that forges its own path for flight.
Prime Minister’s Youth Business Loan: The provision of interest-free loans on easy terms aims to transform the youth from job-seekers into job-creators.
This aligns with Allama Iqbal’s concept of Khudi, wherein an individual, rather than being dependent on others, creates their own world.
Educational and Sports Activities: Through initiatives like the ‘Green Youth Movement’ and the ‘Youth Talent Hunt,’ the mental and physical capabilities of the youth are being honed, enabling them to play a constructive role in building a healthy and positive society. These initiatives by the Government of Pakistan reaffirm the commitment that a bright future for the nation is only possible when the youth—by realizing the vision of Allama Iqbal—bring honor to the country and its people. “Uraan Pakistan” (Flight Pakistan) is a comprehensive and revolutionary framework launched by the Government of Pakistan, primarily aimed at honing the potential of the nation’s youth and integrating them into the mainstream of national socio-economic development. The program operates under a specific national development strategy, focusing on key pillars such as boosting exports, establishing a “Digital E-Pakistan,” environmental conservation, developing energy infrastructure, and empowering all segments of society with equal rights.
A significant milestone of this initiative is the mobilization of 10 million young people as “Social Awareness Ambassadors,” who are conducting grassroots-level awareness campaigns on critical issues such as child health, nutrition, and early childhood education. In addition to fostering community building at the local level, the framework also engages young overseas Pakistanis through the “Mitti Ki Pukar” (Call of the Soil) Summer Scholars Program. This initiative enables them to return home and contribute to strategic policy-making in collaboration with key ministries, government institutions, and the Parliament.
Furthermore, through “Youth Policy and Development Chapters” established in dozens of cities across the country, a sense of leadership and civic responsibility is being cultivated among the youth, empowering them to become active participants in the nation’s governance and systems. Furthermore, this entire system is integrated with other major flagship programs of the Prime Minister, granting youth direct access to initiatives such as the PM Youth Laptop Scheme, National Internship Fellowships, digital skills bootcamps, and business and agricultural loan programs. This enables them to achieve financial independence and contribute to the nation’s development. The Federal Government and the Ministry of Planning and Development have launched several transformative programs aimed at the socio-economic development and empowerment of youth across Pakistan. These initiatives seek to provide this significant segment of the population with access to education, modern digital skills, employment opportunities, and roles in civic leadership. Through these comprehensive measures, the younger generation is being equipped to play an active role in the national economy and serve as a driving force in steering the country toward progress.
In this context, the “Uraan Pakistan” network serves as a central pillar, operating on a three-pronged model focused on empowering, educating, and providing employment opportunities to the youth. Under this initiative, the government is mobilizing an extensive national network to train approximately one million young people as “Social Awareness Ambassadors” at the grassroots level. These ambassadors are tasked with conducting awareness campaigns on critical issues—such as child nutrition, the eradication of drug abuse, the promotion of hygiene and sanitation, and the reintegration of out-of-school children into the educational system. Furthermore, under the “Young Peace and Development Corps” (YPDC), more than 131 chapters have been established across over 42 cities and universities nationwide, aimed at fostering leadership skills among the youth through dialogue between students and national policymakers.
Similarly, the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme—in collaboration with UNICEF—has launched major flagship initiatives centered on education, employment, inclusion, and the environment. These include the “Chromebook Scheme” for high-achieving students in the 9th and 10th grades, through which laptops are being distributed on a merit basis to students in public schools across the four provinces, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Islamabad. To promote financial independence and entrepreneurship, the “Prime Minister’s Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme” has provided interest-free and accessible loans worth billions of rupees, enabling over 140,000 young people to launch their own businesses and agricultural ventures. Additionally, more than 99,000 skill-development scholarships have been awarded in modern sectors such as IT and freelancing.To integrate these domestic efforts with the international arena, the “Call of the Soil” (Mitti Ki Pukar) Summer Scholars Program offers young overseas Pakistanis the opportunity to undertake strategic fellowships within federal ministries, NADRA, and the Parliament, thereby incorporating global perspectives into national policymaking. Under the Prime Minister’s Youth Chromebook Scheme 2026—administered by the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training and the Inter-Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC)—500,000 free Google Chromebooks are being provided to high-achieving students and top-rank holders in public schools across the country. The primary objective of this initiative is to grant talented students from low- and middle-income backgrounds access to state-of-the-art digital devices and internet services, enabling them to compete effectively in the global educational and technical landscape.
In accordance with regional eligibility criteria, students from public schools in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan who are currently in the ninth grade and have secured top positions or outstanding results in the 2026 annual examinations are eligible to apply. Meanwhile, for Islamabad, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, top-performing students from public schools in both the ninth and tenth grades are deemed eligible. Additionally, students enrolled in the 9th grade of the ‘Matric-Tech’ program—offered by the Punjab Board of Technical Education and other government technical institutions—are also eligible, provided they have secured more than 50% marks. However, a fundamental condition is that this scheme is exclusively for regular students of government schools whose names have been shortlisted by the respective educational boards and forwarded to the IBCC.
To apply online, students should have the following documents ready: a recent color passport-sized photograph, the official result card for the 2026 annual examination (issued by the educational board), an attested copy of the student’s ‘B-Form’, and an attested copy of the father’s or guardian’s computerized national identity card (CNIC). For registration, students must first visit the official portal, select their respective educational board, and enter their B-Form number, examination roll number (or registration number), and date of birth. Once the data appears, students should carefully verify their name, school, and marks, upload all required documents, and submit the form. Upon final submission, a reference number will be generated, which will allow the student to download their registration receipt. The ‘Prime Minister’s Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme’ (PMYB&ALS) is a flagship program of the Government of Pakistan, designed to provide financial assistance to the nation’s youth—on easy terms and at a very low mark-up—for starting new businesses, expanding existing ones, or undertaking modern agricultural projects. This scheme is being implemented in collaboration with over 15 designated commercial, Islamic, and SME banks across the country. A 25% quota has been reserved for women to ensure their economic inclusion.
Under this scheme, loans are categorized into three distinct tiers, detailed as follows:
Tier I: This tier offers loans ranging from PKR 100,000 to PKR 500,000. These loans are entirely interest-free (0% mark-up) and carry a repayment period of up to 3 years.
Tier II: This tier provides loans exceeding PKR 500,000 up to PKR 1.5 million, with an annual mark-up rate of only 5%. These loans are granted based on a personal guarantee, without the requirement for stringent collateral.
Tier III: This tier allows for larger loans—exceeding PKR 1.5 million up to a maximum of PKR 7.5 million—with an annual mark-up rate of 7%. Collateral requirements for this tier are determined in accordance with the respective bank’s policy.
For long-term or development-oriented projects, the maximum repayment period is 8 years, which includes a 1-year grace period. Conversely, for working capital and agricultural production expenses, the repayment period is up to 5 years. According to the eligibility criteria, all Pakistani residents aged between 21 and 45 years may apply for this scheme. However, for business ventures related to IT and e-commerce, the minimum age limit is set at 18 years, provided the applicant has completed at least a matriculation (secondary school) education. Individuals currently employed in the public sector are not eligible to obtain financing under this scheme.
Interested and eligible youth can submit their applications online—without the need for any physical paperwork—exclusively through the official “Prime Minister’s Youth Loan Scheme” website (part of the Digital Youth Hub). The processing time for these applications has been capped at a maximum of 45 days by the participating banks. Under the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, the “Skills and Scholarships” initiative—in collaboration with the National Technical and Vocational Training Commission (NAVTTC)—provides free-of-cost technical and digital courses, as well as educational scholarships, to millions of young people across the country, tailored to the demands of the modern-day market. To date, over 99,000 young individuals have received skills-based scholarships through the Prime Minister’s Youth Program’s educational network. Furthermore, its flagship initiative, “Skills of Tomorrow,” aims to provide world-class certifications in cutting-edge fields to a total of 795,000 young people by the year 2027.
The courses offered under this program, the benefits of the scholarships, and the eligibility criteria are as follows:Under this scheme, youth are provided training in both high-tech and traditional fields. The curriculum includes cutting-edge courses such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Shopify eCommerce, Power BI, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), freelancing (via platforms like Upwork), and graphic design. These courses, which span 3 to 6 months, are offered entirely free of charge; the government charges no fees and, in fact, provides a monthly stipend to the students. Upon completion, participants receive certifications recognized by the National Vocational Qualifications Framework (NVQF) and international bodies. Furthermore, successful students are offered job placement support, and for those seeking employment abroad—such as in Saudi Arabia—certifications are issued under joint initiatives like “Takamal.”
To be eligible for this scheme, applicants must be Pakistani citizens aged between 18 and 35. A minimum educational qualification of matriculation (or higher) is required. Preference is given to individuals who are currently unemployed and are able to dedicate time to attend regular, daily classes. To ensure the inclusion of all segments of society, this program has allocated a 30% quota for women and a 5% quota for persons with disabilities, enabling them to acquire skills and contribute to the nation’s development. The revolutionary initiatives of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program and ‘Uraan Pakistan’ represent a modern, scientific, and economic effort at the governmental level to translate Allama Iqbal’s philosophy of Khudi (selfhood) and his metaphor of the Shaheen (the soaring eagle) into reality. Iqbal’s Shaheen symbolizes self-reliance, high aspirations, and persistent struggle—a philosophy reflected in the core vision of ‘Uraan Pakistan,’ which focuses on transforming youth from mere job-seekers into entrepreneurs and skilled professionals capable of forging their own paths. Within this framework, concrete measures have been taken to foster the intellectual, economic, and digital advancement of the youth, effectively bringing Iqbal’s vision to life. A key component is the ‘Social Mobilization Network’ of ‘Uraan Pakistan,’ which is engaging approximately one million young people across the country as “Social Awareness Ambassadors.” These individuals work at the grassroots level, leading campaigns on issues such as child nutrition, education, and the eradication of drug abuse, thereby driving positive societal change. Furthermore, the ‘Young Peace and Development Corps’—comprising over 131 chapters across more than 42 cities—broadens the intellectual horizons of students by providing them with opportunities for direct dialogue with national policymakers and developing their leadership potential. This aligns perfectly with Iqbal’s vision of cultivating strategic thinking among the youth.

Developmental Initiatives for the Youth:

‘Uraan’ (Flight) Pakistan and Skill Development: By equipping the youth with modern technical and digital skills, the Prime Minister’s Youth Program provides them with contemporary employment opportunities. These efforts are akin to nurturing the Shaheen envisioned by Iqbal—a spirit that forges its own path for flight.
Prime Minister’s Youth Business Loan: The provision of interest-free loans on easy terms aims to transform the youth from job-seekers into job-creators.
This aligns with Allama Iqbal’s concept of Khudi, wherein an individual, rather than being dependent on others, creates their own world.
Educational and Sports Activities: Through initiatives like the ‘Green Youth Movement’ and the ‘Youth Talent Hunt,’ the mental and physical capabilities of the youth are being honed, enabling them to play a constructive role in building a healthy and positive society. These initiatives by the Government of Pakistan reaffirm the commitment that a bright future for the nation is only possible when the youth—by realizing the vision of Allama Iqbal—bring honor to the country and its people. “Uraan Pakistan” (Flight Pakistan) is a comprehensive and revolutionary framework launched by the Government of Pakistan, primarily aimed at honing the potential of the nation’s youth and integrating them into the mainstream of national socio-economic development. The program operates under a specific national development strategy, focusing on key pillars such as boosting exports, establishing a “Digital E-Pakistan,” environmental conservation, developing energy infrastructure, and empowering all segments of society with equal rights.
A significant milestone of this initiative is the mobilization of 10 million young people as “Social Awareness Ambassadors,” who are conducting grassroots-level awareness campaigns on critical issues such as child health, nutrition, and early childhood education. In addition to fostering community building at the local level, the framework also engages young overseas Pakistanis through the “Mitti Ki Pukar” (Call of the Soil) Summer Scholars Program. This initiative enables them to return home and contribute to strategic policy-making in collaboration with key ministries, government institutions, and the Parliament.
Furthermore, through “Youth Policy and Development Chapters” established in dozens of cities across the country, a sense of leadership and civic responsibility is being cultivated among the youth, empowering them to become active participants in the nation’s governance and systems. Furthermore, this entire system is integrated with other major flagship programs of the Prime Minister, granting youth direct access to initiatives such as the PM Youth Laptop Scheme, National Internship Fellowships, digital skills bootcamps, and business and agricultural loan programs. This enables them to achieve financial independence and contribute to the nation’s development. The Federal Government and the Ministry of Planning and Development have launched several transformative programs aimed at the socio-economic development and empowerment of youth across Pakistan. These initiatives seek to provide this significant segment of the population with access to education, modern digital skills, employment opportunities, and roles in civic leadership. Through these comprehensive measures, the younger generation is being equipped to play an active role in the national economy and serve as a driving force in steering the country toward progress.
In this context, the “Uraan Pakistan” network serves as a central pillar, operating on a three-pronged model focused on empowering, educating, and providing employment opportunities to the youth. Under this initiative, the government is mobilizing an extensive national network to train approximately one million young people as “Social Awareness Ambassadors” at the grassroots level. These ambassadors are tasked with conducting awareness campaigns on critical issues—such as child nutrition, the eradication of drug abuse, the promotion of hygiene and sanitation, and the reintegration of out-of-school children into the educational system. Furthermore, under the “Young Peace and Development Corps” (YPDC), more than 131 chapters have been established across over 42 cities and universities nationwide, aimed at fostering leadership skills among the youth through dialogue between students and national policymakers.
Similarly, the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme—in collaboration with UNICEF—has launched major flagship initiatives centered on education, employment, inclusion, and the environment. These include the “Chromebook Scheme” for high-achieving students in the 9th and 10th grades, through which laptops are being distributed on a merit basis to students in public schools across the four provinces, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Islamabad. To promote financial independence and entrepreneurship, the “Prime Minister’s Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme” has provided interest-free and accessible loans worth billions of rupees, enabling over 140,000 young people to launch their own businesses and agricultural ventures. Additionally, more than 99,000 skill-development scholarships have been awarded in modern sectors such as IT and freelancing.To integrate these domestic efforts with the international arena, the “Call of the Soil” (Mitti Ki Pukar) Summer Scholars Program offers young overseas Pakistanis the opportunity to undertake strategic fellowships within federal ministries, NADRA, and the Parliament, thereby incorporating global perspectives into national policymaking. Under the Prime Minister’s Youth Chromebook Scheme 2026—administered by the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training and the Inter-Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC)—500,000 free Google Chromebooks are being provided to high-achieving students and top-rank holders in public schools across the country. The primary objective of this initiative is to grant talented students from low- and middle-income backgrounds access to state-of-the-art digital devices and internet services, enabling them to compete effectively in the global educational and technical landscape.
In accordance with regional eligibility criteria, students from public schools in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan who are currently in the ninth grade and have secured top positions or outstanding results in the 2026 annual examinations are eligible to apply. Meanwhile, for Islamabad, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, top-performing students from public schools in both the ninth and tenth grades are deemed eligible. Additionally, students enrolled in the 9th grade of the ‘Matric-Tech’ program—offered by the Punjab Board of Technical Education and other government technical institutions—are also eligible, provided they have secured more than 50% marks. However, a fundamental condition is that this scheme is exclusively for regular students of government schools whose names have been shortlisted by the respective educational boards and forwarded to the IBCC.
To apply online, students should have the following documents ready: a recent color passport-sized photograph, the official result card for the 2026 annual examination (issued by the educational board), an attested copy of the student’s ‘B-Form’, and an attested copy of the father’s or guardian’s computerized national identity card (CNIC). For registration, students must first visit the official portal, select their respective educational board, and enter their B-Form number, examination roll number (or registration number), and date of birth. Once the data appears, students should carefully verify their name, school, and marks, upload all required documents, and submit the form. Upon final submission, a reference number will be generated, which will allow the student to download their registration receipt. The ‘Prime Minister’s Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme’ (PMYB&ALS) is a flagship program of the Government of Pakistan, designed to provide financial assistance to the nation’s youth—on easy terms and at a very low mark-up—for starting new businesses, expanding existing ones, or undertaking modern agricultural projects. This scheme is being implemented in collaboration with over 15 designated commercial, Islamic, and SME banks across the country. A 25% quota has been reserved for women to ensure their economic inclusion.
Under this scheme, loans are categorized into three distinct tiers, detailed as follows:
Tier I: This tier offers loans ranging from PKR 100,000 to PKR 500,000. These loans are entirely interest-free (0% mark-up) and carry a repayment period of up to 3 years.
Tier II: This tier provides loans exceeding PKR 500,000 up to PKR 1.5 million, with an annual mark-up rate of only 5%. These loans are granted based on a personal guarantee, without the requirement for stringent collateral.
Tier III: This tier allows for larger loans—exceeding PKR 1.5 million up to a maximum of PKR 7.5 million—with an annual mark-up rate of 7%. Collateral requirements for this tier are determined in accordance with the respective bank’s policy.
For long-term or development-oriented projects, the maximum repayment period is 8 years, which includes a 1-year grace period. Conversely, for working capital and agricultural production expenses, the repayment period is up to 5 years. According to the eligibility criteria, all Pakistani residents aged between 21 and 45 years may apply for this scheme. However, for business ventures related to IT and e-commerce, the minimum age limit is set at 18 years, provided the applicant has completed at least a matriculation (secondary school) education. Individuals currently employed in the public sector are not eligible to obtain financing under this scheme.
Interested and eligible youth can submit their applications online—without the need for any physical paperwork—exclusively through the official “Prime Minister’s Youth Loan Scheme” website (part of the Digital Youth Hub). The processing time for these applications has been capped at a maximum of 45 days by the participating banks. Under the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, the “Skills and Scholarships” initiative—in collaboration with the National Technical and Vocational Training Commission (NAVTTC)—provides free-of-cost technical and digital courses, as well as educational scholarships, to millions of young people across the country, tailored to the demands of the modern-day market. To date, over 99,000 young individuals have received skills-based scholarships through the Prime Minister’s Youth Program’s educational network. Furthermore, its flagship initiative, “Skills of Tomorrow,” aims to provide world-class certifications in cutting-edge fields to a total of 795,000 young people by the year 2027.
The courses offered under this program, the benefits of the scholarships, and the eligibility criteria are as follows:Under this scheme, youth are provided training in both high-tech and traditional fields. The curriculum includes cutting-edge courses such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Shopify eCommerce, Power BI, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), freelancing (via platforms like Upwork), and graphic design. These courses, which span 3 to 6 months, are offered entirely free of charge; the government charges no fees and, in fact, provides a monthly stipend to the students. Upon completion, participants receive certifications recognized by the National Vocational Qualifications Framework (NVQF) and international bodies. Furthermore, successful students are offered job placement support, and for those seeking employment abroad—such as in Saudi Arabia—certifications are issued under joint initiatives like “Takamal.”
To be eligible for this scheme, applicants must be Pakistani citizens aged between 18 and 35. A minimum educational qualification of matriculation (or higher) is required. Preference is given to individuals who are currently unemployed and are able to dedicate time to attend regular, daily classes. To ensure the inclusion of all segments of society, this program has allocated a 30% quota for women and a 5% quota for persons with disabilities, enabling them to acquire skills and contribute to the nation’s development. The revolutionary initiatives of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program and ‘Uraan Pakistan’ represent a modern, scientific, and economic effort at the governmental level to translate Allama Iqbal’s philosophy of Khudi (selfhood) and his metaphor of the Shaheen (the soaring eagle) into reality. Iqbal’s Shaheen symbolizes self-reliance, high aspirations, and persistent struggle—a philosophy reflected in the core vision of ‘Uraan Pakistan,’ which focuses on transforming youth from mere job-seekers into entrepreneurs and skilled professionals capable of forging their own paths. Within this framework, concrete measures have been taken to foster the intellectual, economic, and digital advancement of the youth, effectively bringing Iqbal’s vision to life. A key component is the ‘Social Mobilization Network’ of ‘Uraan Pakistan,’ which is engaging approximately one million young people across the country as “Social Awareness Ambassadors.” These individuals work at the grassroots level, leading campaigns on issues such as child nutrition, education, and the eradication of drug abuse, thereby driving positive societal change. Furthermore, the ‘Young Peace and Development Corps’—comprising over 131 chapters across more than 42 cities—broadens the intellectual horizons of students by providing them with opportunities for direct dialogue with national policymakers and developing their leadership potential. This aligns perfectly with Iqbal’s vision of cultivating strategic thinking among the youth.

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