Naqvi urges unity and youth-led growth beyond party politics

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has urged Pakistanis to place the national interest above political loyalties, linking the country’s future prosperity to public accountability, professional discipline and meaningful opportunities for young people. Speaking at a ceremony in Lahore on Sunday, he said those entrusted with authority carried an obligation to deliver justice and remain answerable to citizens.

Naqvi maintained that public office should be treated as a responsibility rather than a privilege. He said officials must remain conscious of their duties and work in a manner that earns public confidence, arguing that justice and service should guide decision-making across government institutions.

The minister also called for a broader national outlook that moves beyond partisan divisions. He urged citizens to evaluate issues through the interests of Pakistan instead of allowing political affiliations to dominate their thinking, presenting national unity as an essential condition for sustained development and institutional stability.

A substantial part of his address focused on the technology sector and its potential to create employment and strengthen the economy. Naqvi said discussions about expanding Pakistani information-technology companies must be accompanied by a demanding work culture. Recalling his own experience with an American company, he said employees in competitive international organisations often followed intensive schedules and were expected to demonstrate exceptional commitment.

He suggested that developing a similarly productive professional routine in Pakistan could take two to three years. The transition, he said, may require workers and businesses to adapt to unusual hours because technology companies serving international clients frequently operate across multiple time zones. His remarks highlighted the practical challenges involved in turning Pakistan’s growing pool of technology graduates into a globally competitive workforce.

Naqvi identified young people as central to the country’s economic and social progress. He said the government had provided significant support to the technology sector during the past two to three years, but stressed that young professionals must convert these opportunities into measurable results. Overseas Pakistanis, he added, should also contribute their experience, networks and expertise to national development.

Pakistan has introduced several programmes intended to improve digital skills, internships and employment pathways for graduates. Punjab’s information-technology internship initiative, for example, offers placements with participating companies, while federal youth programmes provide access to training, certifications, business financing and employment resources. Such initiatives are designed to narrow the gap between academic qualifications and the practical skills demanded by employers.

The minister’s message placed responsibility on both the state and the workforce. Government institutions are expected to expand access to training and professional opportunities, while businesses and young employees must build the discipline needed to compete internationally. The effectiveness of that approach will ultimately depend on whether training schemes translate into sustainable employment, higher technology exports and stronger participation by Pakistani professionals in the global digital economy.