Prime Minister Youth Program faces backlash for including transgender people

Prime Minister's Youth Program (PMYP) is facing backlash on social media platforms after the platform asked transgender people to register themselves on the platform by terming them crucial for the country's progress.

"Transgender individuals are crucial in shaping our nation's future," the post shared on Instagram read.

The transgender individuals were asked to join the National Youth Council, an official platform of the Prime Minister's Youth Program latest by May 31, 2024.

People were quick to respond, who started criticizing the announcement of the government. People questioned how the government was sure that transgenders were crucial for shaping the country's future.

Prime Minister's Youth Programme (named Kamyab Jawan Program from 2019 to 2022) is an initiative by the former prime minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif established in 2013.

The purpose of the programme is to ensure the provision of quality education, and meaningful employment to the youth through integrated, sustainable youth initiatives. The programme provided government-subsidised business loans of up to 25 million rupees, under three tiers: first-tier for 10000 to 1 million, the second tier for 1 million to 10 million, and the third tier for 10 million to 25 million.

The programme also provided a skills scholarship program, a talent hunt for youth sports, and a national youth council.