Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan visited the National Press Club Islamabad where he joined a Meet the Press session and inaugurated the recently renovated sports room. He was received by club leaders including Secretary and Vice President Syed Zafar Hashmi, Senior Joint Secretary Shiraz Gardezi, Governing Body Member Amir Rafiq Butt, Naveed Ahmed Sheikh and Jafar Ali Balti.
During the visit club officials thanked Rana Mashhood for his support in upgrading the sports facility and requested two air conditioners and a computer lab to better serve members. The Chairman said the requests would be considered sympathetically, noting this was his first visit to the club and expressing a desire for continued collaboration with media professionals.
Rana Mashhood announced that online courses under the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme will be made available to young journalists and their children, enhancing access to skills training. He also reiterated plans to distribute laptops among youth as part of broader efforts to boost education and entrepreneurship.
Speaking on the role of media, Rana Mashhood praised Pakistani journalists for timely, fact-based reporting during the recent Pakistan-India tensions, saying it helped counter India’s ‘godi media’ narratives and raised Pakistan’s international profile. He linked this effective reporting to the warm receptions received by the Prime Minister and Army Chief during visits to China and Saudi Arabia, as indicators of growing global respect for Pakistan.
On sports and youth development he highlighted that government initiatives prioritise health, education, entrepreneurship and sporting excellence. Rana Mashhood noted both the Kashmir Premier League and Pakistan Super League provide platforms to showcase national talent and that 23 Olympic-recognised disciplines have been given focus to raise standards and pursue international medals.
The Chairman emphasised that implementing merit across sports and other systems will enable Pakistani athletes and youth to compete successfully on the world stage. He concluded by underlining that strengthening Pakistan requires collective effort, and that the youth programme aims to make the country stronger, more united and capable of achieving excellence in every field.
