By 
By: Faseeh ur Rehman
Senior Journalist, THE BNN MEDIA
PESHAWAR, Pakistan — The Directorate of Youth Affairs, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, marked International Youth Day 2026 with a major youth-focused event at Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum Hall, University of Peshawar, on August 12, bringing together government officials, young people, academics, civil society representatives and other stakeholders under the theme “Celebrations of the Passion, Potential, and Power of Youth.”
Held from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, the event highlighted the vital role of young people in shaping the social, economic and institutional future of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The program combined formal speeches and policy discussions with music, inspirational stories and youth recognition activities, creating a platform that celebrated both achievement and future potential.
A Commitment to Youth Empowerment
The event underscored the provincial government’s focus on creating an environment in which young people can actively participate in governance, innovation, community development and decision-making.
Among the prominent figures participating in the event were Sohail Afridi, Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Taj Muhammad Khan Trand, Advisor to the Chief Minister on Sports and Youth Affairs, who addressed the gathering and emphasized the importance of providing meaningful opportunities for the province’s growing youth population.
Speakers stressed that empowering young people requires more than recognition. It demands sustained investment in education, skills development, entrepreneurship, leadership opportunities and platforms through which young people can contribute directly to society.
Recognizing Youth Excellence
A key feature of the celebration was the presentation of the Youth Excellence Awards, recognizing young individuals whose leadership, resilience, innovation and community contributions have made a meaningful difference.
The awards provided an opportunity to celebrate emerging talent while also highlighting the potential of young people to create positive change within their communities. The recognition also sent a broader message that achievement among young people deserves visibility, encouragement and institutional support.
From Potential to Leadership
The event’s central message — “Empowering Youth, Shaping the Future” — reflected the growing importance of youth participation in building a stronger and more inclusive society.
Through inspirational stories and cultural performances, the celebration also gave young participants an opportunity to express themselves beyond conventional policy discussions. The combination of dialogue, recognition and cultural engagement reinforced the idea that young people should be viewed not simply as future leaders, but as active contributors to the present.
A Collective Responsibility
The celebration concluded with a call for stronger collaboration among government institutions, educational organizations, non-governmental organizations, civil society and international development partners.
Such partnerships, participants emphasized, can help expand opportunities for young people and transform their ideas and potential into practical contributions to society.
For Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where a significant proportion of the population consists of young people, investment in youth development represents an investment in the province’s long-term social and economic progress.
As International Youth Day 2026 came to a close, the message from Peshawar was clear: the future of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will depend not only on how effectively its young people are prepared to lead tomorrow, but also on how meaningfully they are empowered to contribute today.
— Faseeh ur Rehman
Senior Journalist, THE BNN MEDIA
