KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah announced a partnership with the Prime Minister’s Youth Program to offer international job and educational opportunities for the region’s youth. The initiative aims to enhance global exposure and employment prospects for young people in Sindh.
In a meeting with Mr. Rana Mashhood, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, held at CM House, discussions focused on strengthening ties between the Youth Program and the Sindh Sports and Youth Affairs Department. This collaboration will facilitate youth travel for employment, educational exchanges, and exposure visits to various countries.
The session included attendance from senior officials such as the Secretary to the Chief Minister, Rahim Sheikh, and Secretary of Transport, Aleem Lashari. Emphasizing the importance of youth empowerment, Chief Minister Murad Shah highlighted the need for job opportunities and international exposure under the Prime Minister’s Youth Program.
Mr. Mashhood provided insights on the Digital Youth Hub, a new initiative linking youth with job opportunities in both public and private sectors. He noted the global demand for skilled professionals from Pakistan and expressed the vision of sending skilled Pakistani youth abroad for work.
Chief Minister Shah underscored the Sindh government’s focus on technical education to equip youth with practical skills, enabling them to secure jobs internationally. Both parties concurred on enhancing coordination between the Prime Minister’s Youth Program and the Sindh Sports and Youth Affairs Department to open international avenues for Sindh’s youth.
In a separate meeting, Chief Minister Shah and Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf discussed the Hajj quota and related administrative arrangements. Attendees included Sindh Minister for Zakat, Ushr and Religious Affairs, Riaz Shah Sheerazi, and relevant secretaries.
Federal Minister Yousaf disclosed that the official Hajj expenses are set at Rs1,050,000, with 90,000 pilgrims from Pakistan performing Hajj under the government scheme this year. Due to changes by the Saudi authorities in the private Hajj system, only 23,000 individuals will participate through private operators, with the maximum fee capped at Rs. 3 million.
Chief Minister Shah proposed initiating Hajj flights from Sukkur, a suggestion met positively by Minister Yousaf, who assured inclusion of Sukkur and other Pakistani cities in the next year’s Hajj plan.