Sindh Youth Card to Launch This Month, 100,000 Young People to Benefit in First Phase

The programme will target residents aged 16 to 29 across all 30 districts, offering planned access to education, skills training, employment and business opportunities.

The Sindh government has completed preparations for the launch of the Sindh Youth Card, which Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari is expected to inaugurate this month.

Provincial Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Sardar Mohammad Bux Khan Mahar announced the development during a stakeholders’ meeting held to review arrangements for the launch and inaugural ceremony.

According to the briefing, the first phase will cover 100,000 young people aged between 16 and 29 from all 30 districts of Sindh. The programme aims to bring facilities offered by 13 government departments and various public and private institutions onto a shared digital platform.

The proposed benefits include higher education scholarships, discounts on educational institution fees, technical and vocational training, digital skills certificates, internships and apprenticeships in industrial sectors. The programme also plans to provide an employment portal, business start-up grants, legal and business counselling, and access to incubation centres.

The meeting also reviewed proposals to offer travel concessions to cardholders. These include discounts on Green Line, Orange Line and Peoples Bus Service, a proposed 25% concession on Pakistan Railways routes and special discounts on domestic air travel.

The government plans to sign agreements with Pakistan Railways, the Civil Aviation Authority and relevant transport authorities to facilitate these concessions. However, the travel benefits remain proposals pending the required arrangements and agreements.

The programme also includes proposals for special grants and financial assistance for women entrepreneurs.

To manage the scheme, the government plans to establish a central digital registry and a verified identification system. Through this platform, eligible young people are expected to access government schemes, scholarships, training programmes, IT courses, interest-free bank loans and other facilities.

The government also intends to secure special discounts from hundreds of private businesses. A joint steering committee will monitor implementation and progress, while relevant departments will nominate focal persons to coordinate the programme.

Speaking at the meeting, Mahar said the Sindh Youth Card would help young people access better opportunities in education, modern skills, employment and entrepreneurship. He added that online registration would open for eligible youth after the inauguration.

The meeting was attended by Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for IT Ali Rashid, Sports Secretary Munawar Ali Mahesar, Education Secretary Zahid Abbasi, Director General Information Muhammad Yousuf Kabooro and other senior officials. Representatives of Pakistan Railways and the Civil Aviation Authority also participated.

The Sindh government describes the initiative as part of its efforts to support youth development and encourage economic and social progress across the province.