ABBOTTABAD: Government officials, academics, business representatives and young people from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa came together in Abbottabad for the ninth Metrix Pakistan Youth Summit, which organisers described as the largest-ever edition of the event.

Hosted at COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus, the gathering provided a common platform for discussions on education, innovation, entrepreneurship, public administration and emerging technologies.

Metrix Pakistan organised the summit in collaboration with the Directorate of Youth Affairs, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, District Administration Abbottabad and District Youth Office Abbottabad.

The programme included keynote addresses, panel discussions, technical workshops, student exhibitions, startup pitches and recognition ceremonies. More than 15 speakers and industry representatives participated in different sessions.

Deputy Commissioner Abbottabad Capt (retd) Sarmad Saleem Akram attended the summit as chief guest. He discussed the importance of scientific and technological education and said young people needed skills relevant to an economy increasingly influenced by digital technologies.

The deputy commissioner also visited student exhibitions and startup presentations, where participants explained their projects and business ideas. The projects demonstrated different approaches to addressing practical issues through technology and innovation.

The summit also provided a platform for discussions between young people and government representatives. Assistant Commissioner Abbottabad Afrasyab Zubair Hundal briefed participants about the proposed Khidmatguzaar mobile application, designed to facilitate access to government services through a digital platform.

District Police Officer Haroon Rashid Khan discussed technology applications in law enforcement and public safety. His presentation included digital crime mapping, emergency response, child protection, traffic management and cybercrime-related challenges.

For students interested in business, the startup pitching segment offered an opportunity to present their concepts before industry representatives. Discussions covered business models, target markets, product development and possible investment and partnership opportunities.

The exhibition area provided students with another opportunity to present their work and interact with professionals. Sessions throughout the programme addressed artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, blockchain, digital marketing, digital media and entrepreneurship.

District Youth Officer Bushra Masroor said collaboration among young people, institutions and professionals could help create greater opportunities for skills development and professional networking. She was also presented with an Excellence Award for her work relating to youth engagement and women’s empowerment.

COMSATS Abbottabad Dean of the Faculty of Sciences Prof Dr Jamshed Iqbal, recipient of Tamgha-i-Imtiaz and Sitara-i-Imtiaz, and Ghias Shah participated in the programme, with academic discussions focusing on research, innovation and the changing requirements of professional education.

Speakers and industry representatives included Qaisar Akash Khan, Ammad Ali, Founder and CEO of RankingGrow, Waqar Ali, CEO of Zarar TV, Kashif Ali, CEO of TechKhwa, Dr Faiza Nawaz of Hazara University Mansehra and Muhammad Junaid Iqbal.

Rizwan, Community Manager of Binance Pakistan, conducted a Binance Academy workshop on blockchain education.

The closing ceremony included recognition of individuals for contributions in healthcare, research, welfare, medicine and the arts. Ashfaq Ahmad of Swabi was recognised for healthcare services, including the establishment of an emergency orthopaedic, sports and spine centre in Topi.

Dr Faisal Khan of COMSATS Abbottabad was recognised for his academic and research contributions and more than 157 publications. Shakeel Ahmed Tanoli received recognition for welfare initiatives, while Dr Shah Khalid of Battagram was recognised for his contribution to neurosurgery and specialised healthcare services in the Hazara region.

Adam Khan was recognised for contributions to the arts, while digital content creators from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa received Content Creator Awards for their work in digital media and regional storytelling.

The largest-ever edition of the summit, according to the organisers, concluded after discussions on how government institutions, universities, businesses and youth organisations could work together to expand opportunities for young people in education, technology and entrepreneurship.