ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed federal ministries and relevant institutions to accelerate implementation of Pakistan’s first National Youth Employment Policy, with a focus on creating jobs, improving skills and expanding opportunities for young people across the country.
Chairing a review meeting on the policy, the prime minister said providing dignified employment to skilled and talented youth remained among the government’s top priorities.
He directed that coordinated and effective measures be taken to create employment opportunities under the policy and said progress would be reviewed every month.
The prime minister said the launch of the country’s first National Youth Employment Policy reflected the government’s efforts to address unemployment through a more structured approach.
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Focus on Skills, Women and Underserved Regions
Shehbaz Sharif stressed that inter-ministerial coordination and a comprehensive strategy would be essential for effective implementation.
He called for special attention to skills development so that young people, particularly women, can benefit from new employment opportunities.
The prime minister also directed that greater focus be placed on creating job opportunities for youth in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, alongside other parts of the country.
He said institutional reforms had been carried out in NAVTTC and SMEDA to better align Pakistan’s skilled workforce with domestic and international business and industrial demand.
Training for Overseas Jobs
Officials briefed the meeting that the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission is taking steps to provide international certification and language training to workers.
Youth are also being trained according to labour-market demand to improve their chances of securing employment abroad.
The meeting was told that the Digital Youth Hub is providing information about job opportunities in Pakistan and overseas through a single platform.
Federal ministries and relevant institutions are also working together on practical implementation of the policy.
Youth Development Cells in Educational Institutions
Officials said Youth Development Cells are being established in educational institutions to provide career counselling and guidance on employment and skills opportunities.
Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Chairman Rana Mashhood also briefed the meeting on measures taken under the prime minister’s directives.
Shehbaz Sharif instructed officials to launch an awareness campaign so young people can better understand and access the opportunities available under the National Youth Employment Policy.
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, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Rana Mashhood and other senior officials.
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