Sindh Sports and Youth Affairs Department arranged a Public–Private Partnership Symposium on Increasing Investments for Youth Development.
Arranged with the collaboration of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and Pathfinder International, ‘Shaping Tomorrow’ brought together over 200 participants from government, the private sector, academia, civil society, and youth-focused organisations from various districts.
Speaking as the Chief Guest, Munawar Ali Mahesar, Secretary, Sports and Youth Affairs Department, highlighted the importance of investing in young people, and shared that around 26 district-level youth centres have been established across Sindh with a total allocation of PKR one billion. He urged connecting youth with industry through partnerships with chambers of commerce and industrial platforms. He emphasised the need to create pathways that allow young people to find their own way and contribute meaningfully to the province’s development.
Dr Asad Ishaque and S M Habibullah provided insights into the government’s approach to public–private partnerships for youth empowerment. They stressed that the people for whom policies are being made must have a voice. Habibullah further explained that to bridge trust deficits, private sector funds would remain under their own control to ensure transparency.
Golden Mulilo, Head of UNFPA Sindh Sub Office in Karachi, stressed that youth development must be a strategic priority. “The need is immense and cannot be met without strong public–private partnerships,” he said.
“Youth development is not a challenge but a smart investment. Young people are our future workforce, customers and leaders. Let us make Sindh a youth-friendly investment path and ensure every young person has the opportunity to find their own way, he stated.
Panel discussions focused on strengthening public–private partnerships and ensuring youth inclusion in a rapidly transforming digital future. Speakers discussed issues of trust, transparency, and meaningful youth engagement in policy and program design.
The symposium also provided a platform for small-scale youth-led projects to showcase their initiatives and innovations, and concluded with a call for continued collaboration between the public and private sectors to support youth development initiatives across Sindh.
