Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has said, 70 million youth are an asset for the country and the government will make policies to utilise their potential. He was speaking at a ceremony at Prime Minister House on Friday after giving away prizes to school children who performed at the main flag hoisting ceremony in Islamabad to mark Pakistan's 63rd Independence Day.
He said, youth are the future of Pakistan and the government is paying special attention on their educational and health needs. Pakistan is fortunate that out of population of 170 million, 70 million are youth, he observed. He stressed that the country needed skilled youth, who could lead in diverse fields of specialisation. Gilani said, the new education policy will keep in view future needs of youth.
The stress will be on vocational training, and Rs 10,000 will be given to every young person who undergoes training. Youth delegations will be sent abroad so that young people can share experience with others, he added. He said, the government will protect vulnerable sections of society and will launch a scheme of health insurance for them.
The government is committed to support women and bring them at par with men, he said adding Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) will make women financially independent as they will get Rs 1000 every month which will help them in meeting their expenses.
BISP will be further expanded so that through it poor people can pay their gas and electricity bills, and later even pay school fees and get vocational training. He said, women are now in prominent positions. Speaker of National Assembly is a female, while Benazir Bhutto was a source of inspiration for women.
The Prime Minister gave each young performer Rs Three thousand and prizes. He said, he will continue encouraging youth who achieve excellence in their fields. Minister for Population Welfare Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Farzana Raja and high officials attended the function.