Islamabad (TDI): Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal said on Thursday that the government was eying doubling the annual remittances to $60 billion in the coming years.
He made these remarks while chairing the third meeting of the Taskforce on Human Resource and Skill Development in Islamabad.
“Pakistan currently receives $30 billion annually in terms of remittances, which could easily be increased to up to $60 billion by producing skilled labour,” he said.
Iqbal directed the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) to speed up the development of certified training programs. He urged the authorities to meet global standards and be prepared to handle international demands.
The minister said that the country’s human resource development must aim to generate foreign exchange through exports. He urged the task force to identify sectors with export potential and ensure the workforce is trained to meet international requirements. The Minister stressed the need to improve the integrity, work ethic, and emotional intelligence of the workforce to boost Pakistan’s global reputation.
He also emphasised the need for a robust strategy to align Pakistan’s workforce with future global and local requirements.
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Iqbal sought a comprehensive plan within 15 days in this regard.
“The plan should focus on key sectors and outline practical steps to enhance Pakistan’s workforce,” he added.
Speaking about SCO held on October 15 and 16, Iqbal acknowledged that Pakistan’s image on the global stage had improved significantly.
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“The successful hosting of international leaders, including those from Russia and China, demonstrated Pakistan’s capability to engage positively,” he said.
The minister added that Pakistan is on the verge of an economic turnaround.
“We must meet both national and international expectations through our performance. The future of the country hinges on human resource development, which is our greatest strength and also our greatest challenge,” he said.
Iqbal stressed that the task force was crucial in shaping the country’s future by focusing on human resource development in key sectors.
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The planning minister directed the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to collaborate with industry leaders to assess and fulfil the human resource needs of Pakistan’s manufacturing sectors, such as textiles, automotive, sports and surgical goods, and pharmaceuticals.
“Manufacturing clusters must be identified, and universities should align their programs with the demands of these sectors to ensure that Pakistan becomes a global player in exports,” he said.
About the agriculture sector, Iqbal highlighted the importance of crop experts in fields like horticulture, dairy, seed development, GIS, and drone technology.
“Pakistan’s agriculture workforce must be equipped with modern tools and techniques to support future farming needs and improve productivity.
Senior government officials, including HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed, Rector NUTECH Lt. Gen. (R) Moazzam Ejaz, Secretary Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, Director NAVTTC, and senior officials from the Ministry of Science and Technology, FPCCI, NHMP, and OEC, attended the meeting.
