Rawalpindi, Jan 28: A one-day youth dialogue focusing on digital employment and entrepreneurship was held in Rawalpindi, bringing together government representatives, journalists, and digital experts to explore emerging opportunities in Pakistan’s growing digital economy.
The event was organised by the Young Journalists Association in collaboration with the international journalists’ organisation Fourth Pillar. Participants discussed how digital skills, freelancing, and entrepreneurship can help young people access sustainable livelihoods in a rapidly changing job market.
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Speaking as chief guest, Syed Zeeshan Naqvi, focal person of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, said the government was taking practical measures to equip youth with modern digital skills. He noted that freelancing and digital entrepreneurship had become important tools for economic self-reliance and encouraged young people to actively use digital platforms to build careers.
Focus on skills, training, and inclusion
The dialogue was attended by Pakistani-American Muhammad Suleman Butt, YJA President Muhammad Yousaf Khan, Vice President of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists Farhat Fatima, General Secretary of the Private Schools Association Islamabad Abdul Waheed Khan, senior lawyer Zahid Bashir Dar, Sabuhi Hussain, Chief Executive Officer of Digital Nexus, and Hussain Subhani, Chief Digital Officer of Digital Nexus Asia.
Also present were President of the Education Beat Reporters Association Zafar Sapra, senior journalist Ayesha Naz, along with YJA Secretary General Sonia Satti, Vice Presidents Adnan Arif, Anila Bashir, Hiba Abbasi, Hina Durrani, Amina Bilal, Haris, and Ghazal. A large number of male and female journalists also attended.
Digital economy and future jobs
In his presidential address, Farooq Mirza, President of Fourth Pillar USA, said the digital economy was reshaping global markets and stressed that meaningful development was not possible without equipping youth with internationally competitive training and practical exposure. He said Fourth Pillar had launched multiple initiatives in digital skills, cybersecurity, and employment, which were being expanded in collaboration with chambers of commerce.
Addressing participants, Muhammad Yousaf Khan said the dialogue aimed to align young journalists with modern professional requirements and introduce them to new digital employment pathways. Sonia Satti highlighted the importance of empowering women and young journalists through digital skills, noting that the association was actively working on professional training, digital security awareness, and freelancing opportunities.
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