Pakistan is regularly criticised for high levels of persecution against believers and was recently the centre of the Asia Bibi case, where a Catholic woman remains in the country after being acquitted of blasphemy.
Sebastian Francis Shah, Catholic Archbishop of Lahore in Pakistan, told Premier the Church realised last year that it was important to concentrate on the future generation.
Speaking during News Hour, he said: "A big need was felt to listen to them so that we may understand our youth, their ideas, their thoughts and also understand their feelings."
The Youth Commission of the Pakistan Catholic Bishops held a meeting in St Patrick's Cathedral, Karachi, on 4th April to decide upon the theme.
The bishops have formed an ad hoc committee to plan and oversee the various initiatives of the 'Year of Youth', which will begin with the feast of Christ the King in 2019 and will close on the same feast day in 2020.
Bishop Samson Shukardin of Hyderabad said in a statement: "The Year of Youth in Pakistan will be a time to nourish our future, to take care of young people, to listen to them and to accompany them on their journey of faith and to grow in holiness."
Listen to Premier's Alex Williams speaking with the Archbishop of Lahore in Pakistan:
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