Fahad Shehbaz Named to Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2026, Marking Major Milestone for Pakistan’s Youth Leadership
By Muhammad Anique Butt2 min read
LAHORE — Pakistani youth leader and public policy advocate Fahad Shehbaz has been named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2026 list, a globally recognized ranking that highlights young innovators, leaders, and changemakers across Asia.
The recognition by Forbes places Fahad among a select group of emerging leaders whose work is shaping policy, entrepreneurship, social innovation, and civic development across the region.
Fahad Shehbaz currently serves as the Focal Person for the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, where he is engaged in initiatives focused on youth empowerment, leadership training, and expanding opportunities for young people to participate in national development. His role has positioned him at the center of youth-focused policymaking efforts aimed at strengthening civic engagement in Pakistan.
Beyond his government-linked responsibilities, Fahad is widely recognized for founding the Youth General Assembly, a structured youth leadership platform established in 2015 when he was just 18 years old. The initiative was designed to simulate parliamentary processes and provide young Pakistanis with practical exposure to legislative debate, policy formulation, and democratic decision-making.
The Youth General Assembly brings together selected youth representatives annually in a parliamentary-style forum modeled on legislative systems, where participants debate national issues, analyze public policy challenges, and propose recommendations aimed at improving governance and civic awareness. The platform has been credited with helping young participants develop critical thinking, public speaking, and leadership skills.
Over the years, Fahad Shehbaz’s work has gained increasing recognition in youth development and civic engagement circles, reflecting a broader movement toward involving young people more directly in governance and policy discourse in Pakistan.
His inclusion in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2026 list is being viewed as a significant achievement for both the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme and Pakistan’s growing youth leadership ecosystem. It underscores the increasing visibility of Pakistani youth on global platforms and highlights the country’s expanding contribution to regional innovation and leadership narratives.
The recognition also adds to Fahad’s growing profile as a youth leader operating at the intersection of policy, education, and civic innovation, with his work continuing to focus on creating structured pathways for youth participation in national and international decision-making spaces.
This milestone is being celebrated as a proud moment for Pakistan’s youth development initiatives and is expected to further strengthen momentum around youth-led governance and leadership programs in the country.
The recognition by Forbes places Fahad among a select group of emerging leaders whose work is shaping policy, entrepreneurship, social innovation, and civic development across the region.
Fahad Shehbaz currently serves as the Focal Person for the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, where he is engaged in initiatives focused on youth empowerment, leadership training, and expanding opportunities for young people to participate in national development. His role has positioned him at the center of youth-focused policymaking efforts aimed at strengthening civic engagement in Pakistan.
Beyond his government-linked responsibilities, Fahad is widely recognized for founding the Youth General Assembly, a structured youth leadership platform established in 2015 when he was just 18 years old. The initiative was designed to simulate parliamentary processes and provide young Pakistanis with practical exposure to legislative debate, policy formulation, and democratic decision-making.
The Youth General Assembly brings together selected youth representatives annually in a parliamentary-style forum modeled on legislative systems, where participants debate national issues, analyze public policy challenges, and propose recommendations aimed at improving governance and civic awareness. The platform has been credited with helping young participants develop critical thinking, public speaking, and leadership skills.
Over the years, Fahad Shehbaz’s work has gained increasing recognition in youth development and civic engagement circles, reflecting a broader movement toward involving young people more directly in governance and policy discourse in Pakistan.
His inclusion in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2026 list is being viewed as a significant achievement for both the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme and Pakistan’s growing youth leadership ecosystem. It underscores the increasing visibility of Pakistani youth on global platforms and highlights the country’s expanding contribution to regional innovation and leadership narratives.
The recognition also adds to Fahad’s growing profile as a youth leader operating at the intersection of policy, education, and civic innovation, with his work continuing to focus on creating structured pathways for youth participation in national and international decision-making spaces.
This milestone is being celebrated as a proud moment for Pakistan’s youth development initiatives and is expected to further strengthen momentum around youth-led governance and leadership programs in the country.
