Important decisions were taken during a meeting held today under the chairmanship of Prime Minister’s Youth Program Chairman Rana Mashhood. Pakistan is moving forward to strengthen its youth policy framework with the upcoming Youth Development Index (YDI) 2026, which aims to ensure equitable distribution of resources for youth across the country. This high-level initiative, led by the Prime Minister’s Youth Program (PMYP), will leverage reliable, disaggregated data to identify and support vulnerable and vulnerable groups, while aligning national priorities with global development commitments.
A crucial meeting was convened at the Prime Minister’s Office, chaired by Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Chairman of the PMYP. Participants included Dr. Luay Shabaneh, UNFPA Representative, alongside Zahra and Muqaddar from the United Nations Population Fund; Dr. Naeem uz Zafar, Chief Statistician, and Rabia Awan, Director General from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics; and the PMYP team.
The Youth Development Index (YDI) is recognised globally as an evidence-based framework designed to assess the welfare and advancement of individuals aged 15-29.
Mr. Khan articulated that the forthcoming YDI 2026 exercise presents Pakistan with a timely and strategic opportunity. It aims to bolster youth-centred policymaking through robust data, aligning with both national objectives and international development pledges.
The Chairman stressed the YDI”s vital role in fostering equity, precise targeting, and accountability. This will be achieved through disaggregated analysis at provincial and district levels, facilitating the identification of disparities among young populations. This approach will support more balanced resource distribution and ensure that developmental interventions effectively reach the most susceptible and neglected demographics.
He further observed that the index would strengthen accountability mechanisms by enabling improved monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes focused on youth. Mr. Khan also highlighted that Pakistan’s bespoke YDI framework incorporates the nation’s unique socio-economic and security conditions.
This customised framework integrates significant indicators such as youth reproductive health, as well as peace and security dimensions. These include the ramifications of terrorism, conflict, and climate-induced catastrophes. This holistic methodology ensures that youth advancement is measured not only by economic opportunity but also in relation to safety, resilience, and social well-being.
The Chairman also pointed out the strong alignment of the YDI with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, it correlates with goals pertaining to education, health, gender equality, decent work, reduced inequalities, and peace, justice, and strong institutions. He reaffirmed that this alignment underscores Pakistan’s commitment to global development frameworks and supports the country’s progression towards evidence-based governance.
Given that nearly two-thirds of Pakistan’s population is under the age of 30, young people represent the country’s most invaluable demographic asset. In this context, the YDI transcends being merely a statistical measurement tool; it is a strategic policy instrument geared towards long-term reforms, institutional reinforcement, and comprehensive youth empowerment.
Concluding his remarks, the Chairman affirmed the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme’s unwavering commitment to advancing youth development through data-driven and evidence-based policymaking. He expressed confidence in the ongoing collaboration with UNFPA and PBS to ensure the successful implementation of the Youth Development Index across Pakistan, paving the way for more inclusive, effective, and impactful youth policies nationwide.