PESHAWAR: Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi has granted in-principle approval to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Youth Policy 2026, which will now be presented to the provincial cabinet for final approval.
Chairing a meeting of the Sports and Youth Affairs Department at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar, the Chief Minister directed authorities to initiate comprehensive legislation aimed at protecting and promoting youth interests across the province.
He emphasized that with young people forming a significant portion of the population, investment in their development is both a strategic necessity and a moral responsibility.
The Chief Minister announced that the upcoming provincial budget will be a youth-focused budget, aligned with the vision of Imran Khan, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to investing in human capital.
He further directed the establishment of Jawan Markaz facilities in every district of the province and stressed the need for empowered local bodies to ensure their effective management and sustainability.
According to official briefings, more than Rs. 7 billion will be invested in youth development initiatives over the next two years under the proposed policy framework. The policy is built on four key pillars: education, employment, environment, and youth engagement in social and civic affairs.
Key objectives of the policy include the universalization of secondary education, particularly for girls, and expanded access to higher education. It also proposes scholarships, training opportunities for female students, and mobile outreach programs for rural and newly merged districts.
The policy places strong emphasis on inclusion and equitable access, introducing assistive support for young persons with disabilities, livelihood programs for transgender youth, and dedicated quotas for minority youth in various initiatives.
In addition, the framework aims to modernize technical education in line with market demands and expand access to digital skills training and future-ready competencies. It also includes provisions for youth internships in both public and private sectors, along with entrepreneurship support programs for aspiring young people.
The policy further proposes the establishment of youth councils at provincial and district levels, as well as volunteer networks to promote community service and civic engagement. Digital transformation, youth-friendly governance, health, and social well-being have also been identified as key components of the initiative.
Officials were also briefed on plans to activate the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Youth Development Commission and establish a dedicated Youth Development Fund to support the implementation of youth-centered programs across the province.
