By Zafar Hussain

Hangzhou, May 25 (China Economic Net) - Chairman of Pakistan Prime Minister's Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan during his visit in China alongside Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Pakistan and China are entering a new phase of cooperation focused on youth development, technology transfer, industrial growth, and technical education, calling the relationship a "window of opportunity" for the younger generations of both countries.

“It was very heartening to see that young people from both sides want to progress, and they want to work together,” he told CEN.

During his visit to Hangzhou, “I always interact with youth wherever I go because I want to hear what young people are thinking and what they want to achieve, and believe me, the youth of Pakistan is thinking on the same lines with the youth of China. There is no difference,” Rana stated.

Sharing a personal example, he revealed that his daughter chose Peking University for a summer school program over prestigious Western institutions such as Cambridge and the University of Pennsylvania.

“She made some of her best friends there, and those friendships remain very strong,” he said. “Pakistan-China friendship goes a long way, and the thought process of the youth is also very similar”, he added.

In a symbolic gesture aimed at strengthening people-to-people connectivity, Rana Mashhood invited 18 Chinese students to visit Pakistan later this year to experience the country’s educational institutions, culture, and economic transformation firsthand.

Highlighting Pakistan’s demographic strength, Rana Mashhood said nearly 70 percent of Pakistan’s population consists of youth, making investment in human capital a national priority.

“Pakistan has one of the biggest youth bulges. It is a challenge, but also a great opportunity,” he stated. “We have to engage them positively and provide platforms where they can thrive and make their lives productive.”

He said the government is focusing on productive employment, digital transformation, and education reforms under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision of a “Digital Pakistan.”

Referring to earlier initiatives, he recalled the laptop distribution program launched during Shehbaz Sharif’s tenure as Chief Minister of Punjab.

“Till today, more than 1.6 million laptops have been distributed in Punjab and at the federal level,” he said. “We are trying to make Pakistan a Digital Pakistan and move toward a cashless economy.”