Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convened a meeting on Tuesday to oversee the progress of the National Youth Employment Policy, emphasizing the urgent need to generate job opportunities for the country’s youth. He instructed all relevant ministries and departments to adopt coordinated and efficient actions to fulfill this goal.
Highlighting the government’s commitment, the prime minister identified providing decent employment to skilled and talented young people as a top priority. He mandated monthly reviews of the policy’s implementation to ensure that the planned initiatives are executed effectively.
In a significant development, Shehbaz Sharif noted that the launch of Pakistan’s first National Youth Employment Policy demonstrated the government’s dedication to empowering young citizens and enhancing their livelihoods. He stressed the importance of inter-ministerial collaboration and a comprehensive strategy to support the policy’s initiatives.
Special focus was directed towards equipping youth, particularly women, with the necessary skills to increase their participation in emerging job markets. Additionally, the prime minister called for targeted efforts to create employment in underdeveloped regions such as Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Shehbaz Sharif also pointed out recent institutional reforms within the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA). These reforms aim to better align Pakistan’s skilled workforce with both domestic and international industrial demands.
Furthermore, he ordered the launch of an awareness campaign to educate young people about the opportunities and benefits available under the policy.
Officials reported that NAVTTC is undertaking special initiatives to provide workers with internationally recognized certifications and language proficiency tailored to overseas labor market requirements. Training programs are being designed to meet the demands of employment abroad.
The meeting was informed about the Digital Youth Hub, which serves as a centralized platform offering information on both domestic and international job opportunities for youth. Coordination among all ministries and institutions is ongoing to ensure the policy’s effective implementation.
Additionally, Youth Development Cells are being established within educational institutions to offer career counseling and guidance on employment and skill development opportunities.
Rana Mashhood, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, updated attendees on the steps taken in accordance with the prime minister’s directives.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik, Information Technology Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Rana Mashhood, and officials from relevant government bodies.
