For the Youth, by the Youth: How the YGA brought young Pakistanis into policy

At 18, Fahad Shahbaz started with an idea. Around him, there was no room for young people in Pakistan's politics and policy making, and it showed. He saw that young Pakistanis had no real voice in the decisions shaping their future. So he decided to build a place where they did.

The Youth General Assembly started small in 2015. 9 years later, it runs as a 96 member assembly, modelled on Pakistan's own Parliament, where young people debate policy and send real recommendations to government. Almost a decade from when his idea came into being, Shahbaz's work is being recognised globally. This year, Forbes named Fahad to its 30 Under 30 Asia 2026 list under Social Impact. Combined with the Diana Award he received in 2023, he's now the only Pakistani to hold both honours.

In a country where many privileged young people become disillusioned with the political system, the Youth General Assembly is showing them the power of having a voice.

"Pakistan doesn't have a shortage of talented young people. It has a shortage of opportunities that trust them. My life's work is helping close that gap," Fahad tells Echoes Media when talking about why the YGA's work is crucial to Pakistan today.

And the change is clear. Members of the YGA speak about Fahad's dedication and the role is once small idea has played in shaping them.

"Through Youth General Assembly, Fahad Shahbaz has shown that leadership is about creating opportunities for others. His vision has inspired countless young Pakistanis to believe that their voices matter," says YGA Member Ismail Sherwani.

Outside of YGA, Fahad is a Managing Partner at Rehnuma Law and the Focal Person at the Prime Minister's Youth Programme, where he works on policy that reaches over 60 million young Pakistanis. He's also represented Pakistan at the UN, the World Economic Forum, and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, where he cast Pakistan's official vote at the Commonwealth Youth elections.

Over the last decade, the YGA has played a key role in drafting multiple statutes including

• The Punjab Women Protection Authority Bill, 2017
• The Minimum Wages for Unskilled Workers (Amendment) Act, 2016 (Act No. VII of 2016)
• The Pakistan Climate Change Act, 2017 (Act No. X of 2017)
• The National Commission on the Rights of Child Act, 2017 (Act No. XXXII of 2017)
• The Punjab Disabled Persons (Employment and Rehabilitation) (Amendment) Bill, 2015

"Fahad Shahbaz doesn't just inspire young people—he gives them the confidence and opportunity to lead. YGA changed how I see my role in creating change," says YGA member Imtesal Awan.