Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has underscored the importance of providing dignified employment opportunities to the youth as a top government priority. The directive came during a progress review meeting on the implementation of the National Youth Employment Policy’s roadmap.
According to Radio Pakistan, the Prime Minister highlighted the launch of the country’s first-ever National Youth Employment Policy as a significant step in the government’s efforts to address youth employment. He called for inter-ministerial cooperation and a comprehensive strategy to effectively implement measures under the policy. The Prime Minister also announced that a progress review meeting on the policy’s implementation would be held monthly.
Special focus is to be directed towards empowering the youth, especially women, to ensure their inclusion in new employment opportunities. The Prime Minister pointed out the need to address employment opportunities for youth in regions such as Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Institutional reforms in the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority have been introduced to align the skilled workforce with domestic and international business demands.
The meeting emphasized the launch of an awareness campaign to inform the youth about the benefits of the policy. It was also reported that the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission is implementing measures to provide the workforce with international certifications and language proficiency necessary for overseas employment. The government initiatives have established the Digital Youth Hub, which offers a platform for youth to access information on employment opportunities both domestically and internationally.
All ministries and relevant institutions are collaborating to ensure the effective implementation of the National Youth Employment Policy. Youth Development Cells are being set up in educational institutions to guide and counsel the youth about employment and skills-development opportunities. Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Rana Mashhood, briefed the Prime Minister on the measures taken in response to the directives.