Youth is the greatest asset and future of the country and new National Youth Policy aims to bring the youth in the mainstream of national life so that they could play more effective role in the development of the country. This was stated by Hafiz Ur Rehman, Secretary, Ministry of Youth Affairs while addressing a conference on National Youth Policy as Chief Guest, which was jointly organized by Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) and Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE).

He said the Government has launched internship program to provide students with the opportunity to apply what they have learnt in their academic pursuits to real world situations. He said this opportunity will expose them to the practical side of their theoretical knowledge while working under the supervision of professionals.

He said that if private sector commits at least 5% retention of these inters, his ministry would revise the current policy to create room for private sector to attract these interns.

Speaking on the occasion, Mian Shaukat Masud, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) said government should involve the private sector in National Internship Program to cope with the rising unemployment in the country.

He said interns will get an opportunity to learn best business and management practices while working in private sector. He, however, said government should adopt transparent selection criteria for interns so that competent and deserving students could get a chance to work in organizations and prove their worth for them.

Addressing the conference, Mr Eric K Hontz, Director Global Programs, CIPE said that National Youth Policy should provide the youth with proper educational and training opportunities, facilitate their access to information in respect of employment opportunities & other services including entrepreneurial guidance and financial credit to promote self-employment.

Mr Ali Mardan Rahoojo, Advisor to Minister the credit goes to present government for approving National Youth Policy as since 1984 no government could get youth policy approved. He said that now the challenge was to keep it up to date and ensure successful implementation of the policy.

In his welcome address, Mr Moin M Fudda, Country Director, CIPE-Pakistan highlighted the role of private sector in policy development and lauded the role of ICCI for taking many youth development activities. He said that CIPE will shortly produce a case study on this initiative which will be launched in partnership with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry.