Pakistan’s future hinges on youth armed with faith, discipline and modern skills: Rana Mashhood

FAISALABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Jun, 2026) Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Program (PMYP) Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan on Thursday said that Pakistan’s ability to overcome emerging internal and external challenges and achieve sustainable progress depends on nurturing a generation equipped with religious insight, strong moral character, discipline and modern professional skills as such combination can provide foundation of a prosperous and resilient future.

Addressing students at Jamia Salfia, he said that educational and religious institutions had a critical role in shaping responsible and productive citizens who could contribute positively to national development while preserving moral and ideological values of the country.

He said that the government was committed to connect young people with employment opportunities and practical skills to enable them to compete successfully in a rapidly changing world.

Paying tribute to the academic and religious services of Jamia Salfia, Rana Mashhood described the institution as a prestigious center of learning whose graduates were serving in different parts of the world as ambassadors of knowledge, faith and humanitarian values.

He said that the institution had earned distinction through its commitment to academic excellence, character-building and ethical training, adding that the influence of its educational standards was evident wherever its graduates were serving.

PMYP Chairman termed his interaction with students a highly encouraging experience and praised the atmosphere of discipline, seriousness, respect and learning prevailing at the seminary.

He remarked that such an environment was rarely witnessed elsewhere and reflected the institution’s success in nurturing responsible youth.

Rana Mashhood said that discipline remained the cornerstone of progress for any society, institution or nation. It was this quality that enabled nations to overcome challenges and move towards stability, development and prosperity, he added.

Referring to the vision of the founder of Pakistan, he said that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had given the nation the guiding principles of “Faith, Unity and Discipline”, and Pakistan was established upon these enduring values.

If the younger generation embraced these principles in their personal and professional lives, no force could prevent Pakistan from joining the ranks of developed nations, he added.

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He said that religious seminaries and modern educational institutions represented two equally important pillars of national development. The need of the hour was to equip young people with both religious education and contemporary knowledge including technology and vocational skills to enable them to seize opportunities at national and international levels, he added.

Chairman PMYP said that demand was increasing in the middle East and other regions for individuals possessing not only professional expertise but also strong ethical and religious values. Institutions such as Jamia Salfia could play a significant role in producing such well-rounded professionals, he added.

Highlighting challenges facing the country, Rana Mashhood said that one of Pakistan’s most pressing tasks was to provide proper guidance to its youth and channelize their abilities towards constructive and productive purposes.

He warned that hostile forces, after failing on conventional fronts, were attempting to weaken Pakistan through various forms of internal disruption and negative influence. Efforts were being made to push young people towards despair, division and unproductive activities, he said, adding that Pakistan’s aware and capable youth possessed the strength to defeat such designs.

PMYP Chairman said that Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif regarded young people as the nation’s most valuable asset and had consistently prioritized education, skill development, employment generation and constructive youth engagement. Various welfare and development programs launched for young people reflected this commitment, he added.

Addressing the students directly, Rana Mashhood announced that special measures would be taken to connect Jamia Salfia students with modern vocational training programs and employment opportunities so that they could complement their religious education with professional expertise and practical skills.

He expressed confidence that the students of Jamia Salfia would continue to contribute to the promotion of Islamic values while adapting to the demands of the modern world and playing an active role in Pakistan’s economic, social and intellectual advancement.