Peshawar: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sohail Afridi, has granted in-principle approval to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Youth Policy 2026. The policy will now be presented to the provincial cabinet for final endorsement. This decision was made during a meeting of the Sports and Youth Affairs Department held at the Chief Minister's House in Peshawar.
Comprehensive Legislation for Youth
Sohail Afridi directed relevant authorities to undertake comprehensive legislation aimed at protecting and promoting the interests of the youth. He stressed that since young people constitute a significant portion of the province's population, safeguarding their interests and investing in their development is both a strategic necessity and a moral imperative.
Youth-Focused Budget
The Chief Minister announced that the next provincial budget will be a youth-focused budget, reiterating the government's commitment to investing in human capital. He instructed officials to ensure the establishment of Jawan Markaz facilities in every district of the province and called for empowered local governing bodies to manage these centers effectively and sustainably.
Digital Skills Training
Afridi emphasized the need to prioritize digital skills training to equip young people with the tools required for emerging economic opportunities. The meeting was informed that over Rs7 billion would be invested in youth development initiatives over the next two years under the proposed policy framework.
Four Core Pillars
The policy is built around four core pillars: education, employment, environment, and youth engagement in social and civic affairs. Key objectives include universalizing secondary education, particularly for females, and expanding access to higher education. The policy also envisages scholarships and training opportunities for women, the establishment of Jawan Markaz facilities, and mobile outreach services in rural and newly merged districts.
Inclusion and Equity
Measures to promote inclusion and equitable access to opportunities are integral to the policy. These include assistive facilities for young persons with disabilities, livelihood support for transgender youth, and dedicated quotas for minority youth across various programs. The policy also seeks to align technical education curricula with market requirements while expanding access to digital skills training and future-ready competencies.
Employment and Entrepreneurship
The proposed framework includes interventions aimed at creating employment opportunities across multiple sectors. It introduces youth internship programs in both the public and private sectors and provides entrepreneurship support to aspiring young people. Additionally, the policy envisages the establishment of youth councils at provincial and district levels, as well as volunteer groups to promote community service and civic engagement.
Digital Transformation and Health
The meeting highlighted that digital transformation, youth-friendly governance, youth health, and social well-being are important components of the policy framework. Participants were briefed on proposals to activate the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Youth Development Commission and establish a dedicated Youth Development Fund to support youth-focused initiatives across the province.
