Rana Mashhood praises two Pakistani youth for clinching top QECT global leadership awards

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd May, 2026) Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan on Sunday praised Hassan Ashraf and Joshua Dilawar after their selection for the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Commonwealth Trust (QECT) 100 Young Leaders Awards 2026, a highly competitive global accolade recognising exceptional contributions to youth leadership, social inclusion, and community-driven transformation.

Describing the achievement as a “defining moment” for Pakistan’s youth, Mashhood said Hassan Ashraf, a member of the Prime Minister’s National Youth Council (Cohort 3), and Joshua Dilawar, an alumnus (Cohort 2), had brought international acclaim to the country through their visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to social impact.

The QECT awards celebrate outstanding young changemakers across the Commonwealth who are spearheading innovative initiatives and catalysing meaningful change within their communities.

Both Pakistani awardees were recognised for their dynamic efforts in mobilising and empowering youth, fostering inclusive engagement, and advancing grassroots development.

Officials said their initiatives have reached and inspired thousands of young individuals, creating vibrant platforms for dialogue, civic participation, and collaborative problem-solving, while addressing pressing social challenges through sustainable and community-centric approaches.

Analysts noted that the recognition not only underscores individual excellence but also signals the rising global prominence of Pakistani youth as influential actors in shaping a more inclusive and progressive future.

Mashhood said that the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, under which both honourees have served, will continue to play a pivotal role in nurturing emerging leaders by integrating youth perspectives into policymaking and national development, thereby strengthening Pakistan’s trajectory towards empowered and participatory governance.