ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan has reiterated the resolve of hisgovernment to promote the culture of merit and honesty in the country.

Addressing the inaugural ceremony of Kamyab Jawan Program, one of PTIgovernment’s flagship initiatives, in Islamabad this evening, he said youthare future of Pakistan and our destiny depends on them.

He said PTI government strongly believes in merit and transparency andsummary of Kamyab Jawan program is a program of merit.

Imran Khan said only those nations move forward in the world that followthe rule of merit.

He said as a result of establishment of state of Madina by Prophet Muhammad(PBUH), the Muslims ruled the world for over a thousand years. He saidmeritocracy and uprightness were hallmarks of the state of Madinah whichhelped it succeed.

The Prime Minister said the main reason for demise of Muslims in the worldwas the adoption of monarchy and not giving democratic rights to theirsociety. Imran Khan said the Mughal Empire went to decline as they did notfollow the rule of merit.

He urged the youth to read about the life of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as heis a role model for the whole world.

He congratulated all stakeholders for launching the first phase of programfor youth of the country.

Imran Khan said Youth Skills Foundation will be set up for youth of thecountry and he will personally monitor the programme to check its progress.

He said minorities, being equal citizens of Pakistan, will also benefitfrom the programme alike. He said a uniform system of education will beintroduced into the country to streamline the society. The Prime Ministersaid the next programmes to be launched for youth are Green Youth Movement,and StartUp Pakistan.

The Prime Minister said we need to change our mentality to become aself-reliant and self-esteemed nation. For this, we will need to develop aculture of paying taxes to make the economy working.

Earlier, addressing the function Special Assistant to Prime Minister onYouth Affairs Usman Dar said this program will take our youth to prosperity.

He said Kamyab Jawan program is the first step on the promise made by PrimeMinister Imran Khan to make the youth employed. He said 68 percent ofPakistan’s population consists of youth.

Usman Dar regretted that previous governments failed to devise policies forthe development of youth.

He said our government has prepared the country’s first Youth DevelopmentFramework, under which work is being carried out in six areas.

Loans fewer than 100,000 rupees will be without interest and will bedistributed on priority basis in 45 under privileged districts.

Under Kamyab Jawan Program, one hundred billion rupees will be distributedamong youth as loans for their business ventures.

The youth are being provided loans under three categories. It isanticipated that the program will benefit one million youth.

Two hundred feasibilities have also been made available online to helpassist the youth in working on business ideas. Under the program, tenbillion rupees will be spent on skills education and one hundred smartlaboratories will be established to impart the modern skills to youth.

A program component will also provide twenty five thousand youthapprenticeship opportunities with the industry. Five hundred skillslaboratories will also be established in Madaris.

A quota of twenty five percent has been allocated for women to increasetheir share in the national economy. Kamyab Jawan program has been preparedunder National Youth Development Framework and it will act as milestone tomake youth of the country independent.

The program will help cope with unemployment and poverty. An integratedsystem has been developed for transparent and modern scrutiny ofapplications.

Earlier, briefing media about the programme in Islamabad, Special Assistantto Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Usman Dar said the programme is fullyfocused on ensuring employment opportunities to the youth, providing themproper platforms to excel.

Usman Dar said no amount of people’s tax is incurred on the programme as itis supported by UN Development Programme.

He said the government also devises state of the art digital platform forthe youth to help them achieve their goals of a bright future.