Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed Pakistani embassies abroad to intensify efforts to identify and secure employment opportunities for the country’s workforce, emphasizing the government’s commitment to expanding overseas job prospects for skilled and qualified Pakistanis.
Review Meeting on Youth Employment
Chairing a review meeting on youth employment, the prime minister said Pakistan’s workforce possessed immense potential and stressed the need to strengthen international outreach to connect skilled workers with global labour markets. He instructed embassies to actively collect and share information on available jobs and required qualifications in host countries.
The prime minister directed the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), and the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme to ensure that the workforce, particularly young people, received vocational skills training along with foreign language courses and internationally recognized certifications.
Focus on International Standards
The prime minister pointed out that Pakistan’s workforce was highly capable and that the government was taking every possible step to provide education and training that meet international standards and improve global employability. He emphasized that all relevant institutions should strengthen cooperation with other countries to align Pakistani certifications with international standards.
He also directed that language training, along with certification, be ensured for countries where employment opportunities existed for skilled Pakistani workers. The prime minister instructed that a report be presented on the performance of technical and vocational training institutes operating under NAVTTC, as well as on the establishment of Country of Destination Centers.
Digital Youth Hub and Sectoral Opportunities
During the meeting, participants were given a detailed briefing on employment opportunities for the workforce, particularly young people. The meeting was informed that more than 800,000 young people had already registered on the Digital Youth Hub and that employment opportunities were available abroad in sectors including construction, agriculture, tourism, healthcare, transportation, biotechnology, manufacturing, shipbuilding, information technology, engineering, nursing, pharmaceuticals, and food production.
The meeting was told that training programs were currently underway to prepare Pakistanis for employment in these sectors. Pakistani embassies will provide information on overseas job opportunities and the qualifications required for them through the Digital Youth Hub portal, the prime minister was informed.
Attendees
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers Dr. Musadik Malik, Attaullah Tarar, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, Chairman NAVTTC Raja Qamar ul Islam, Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, and other senior government officials.
