CARIO: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said the ceasefire in Gaza is crucial for peace, prosperity, and progress not only in the region but across the globe.
“I would urge my brother presidents, prime ministers, and other dignitaries sitting in this room that while we discussed today’s agenda, it was equally important to discuss the situation in Gaza the peace and ceasefire in Lebanon, and the potential threat of Israel’s carnage,” he said while addressing the D-8 Summit in Cairo on Thursday.
The PM emphasised that investing in youth will help build inclusive and robust economies to face the global challenges of today and tomorrow.
He said youth as well as small and medium enterprises are key drivers of the economic development of any society, Radio Pakistan reported.
He added youth brings energy, fresh ideas, and creativity, whereas small and medium enterprises create jobs, foster innovation, and promote entrepreneurship.
Shehbaz Sharif urged the D-8 members to focus on empowering youth and entrepreneurship to harness the power of the young population and create environments where small businesses can thrive.
Speaking about the steps taken by Pakistan for youth empowerment, the Prime Minister said investing in youth and supporting SMEs is crucial for the country’s socio-economic development and progress.
He added Pakistan, with over sixty percent of its population under the age of thirty, possesses a fountain of potential for innovation and growth. However, unlocking this potential requires providing the right skills, opportunities, and financial resources.
Shehbaz Sharif said today’s summit offers a valuable opportunity for D-8 countries to share best practices, pool resources and create programmes that support youth and small and medium enterprises across borders.
He went on to say that Pakistan has approved the implementation of the D-8 Preferential Trade Agreement and its protocols on dispute settlement mechanism.
The Prime Minister highlighted that his government is committed to providing quality education, creating jobs, and offering productive opportunities through its flagship youth programme.
“Pakistan is home to one of the largest freelance communities in the world. We are focusing on IT training at a mass scale to equip our youth with the necessary tools to connect with the digital world and capitalise on those opportunities with the aim to enable job-seekers to become job-creators,” he remarked.
Underscoring the significance of connectivity for peace and prosperity, Shehbaz Sharif stressed the need to develop and enhance transport connectivity among D-8 member states for building efficient intra-trade corridors and reliable supply chains.
Commenting on the situation in Palestine and the Middle East, the Prime Minister said the ceasefire in Gaza is crucial for peace, prosperity, and progress not only in the region but across the globe.
Shehbaz Sharif also welcomed Azerbaijan as a new member of the D-8 nations.
