ISLAMABAD — In a major move to boost regional networking and women-led enterprise, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP), held a high-level strategic meeting with Ms. Hina Mansab Khan, Chairperson of the SAARC Chambers Women Entrepreneurs Council (SCWEC).
The discussion centered on driving cross-border economic growth by fostering a supportive ecosystem for young professionals and female innovators across South Asia.
Key Pillars of the Collaboration
The partnership aims to combine the resources of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme with the regional reach of the SAARC Council, focusing on four primary pillars:
- Incubation: Setting up structured support systems, workspaces, and mentorship pipelines to help early-stage startups scale effectively.
- Entrepreneurship: Creating tailored financial and educational pathways to turn innovative ideas into sustainable businesses.
- Women Empowerment: Launching targeted initiatives designed to remove barriers for female founders and increase their participation in the mainstream economy.
- Regional Networking: Connecting Pakistani youth with business leaders, investors, and peers across the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member states.
Unlocking South Asian Market Potential
During the meeting, both leaders emphasized the importance of equipping the youth with global-standard business skills. By combining PMYP’s local execution capabilities with SCWEC’s extensive regional network, the initiative aims to open up new market avenues for Pakistani startups outside domestic borders.
Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan reiterated the government’s commitment to transforming Pakistan’s youth bulge into an economic asset, noting that sustainable regional growth is impossible without the active economic inclusion of women.
