Islamabad (TDI): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday that the government is focused on equipping young people with professional training that meets international market demands.
He chaired a meeting on a three-year plan for the professional training of youth and their employment, during which he said that remittances from overseas Pakistanis, particularly those in the Middle East, are a cornerstone of the national economy.
According to the State Bank of Pakistan, remittances reached $20.8 billion from July 2024 to January 2025, a 31.7 percent increase from $15.8 billion the previous financial year.
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He also said that Pakistan struggles to recover from its longstanding economic issues.
In remittance flows, the government plans to increase exports, attract foreign investment, and send more skilled workers abroad.
Moreover, efforts are being made to increase the number of healthcare professionals and IT experts in Pakistan to meet global market demands.
During the meeting, PM Shehbaz highlighted the country’s skilled workforce as its most valuable asset.
He stressed that providing young Pakistanis with internationally relevant professional skills remains a top government priority.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chairs a meeting on a three year plan regarding professional training of youth and their employment.
February 21, 2025. pic.twitter.com/1f6ISEHjtx— Prime Minister’s Office (@PakPMO) February 21, 2025
He underscored the need to expand nursing education institutions while ensuring their training programs align with global standards.
Furthermore, he emphasized that youth training programs should be modified to the evolving needs of domestic and international industries.
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In this regard, the Prime Minister stressed the government’s commitment to fully supporting the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and assured that the organization would receive the necessary funding to enhance youth training initiatives.
In the current year, the National Vocational & Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) has successfully trained 60,000 young individuals across various sectors, including IT.
The organization aims to train an additional 141,000 by June 2025, then 250,000 in 2026 and 337,000 in 2027.
These ambitious targets reflect the government’s dedication to empowering youth and positioning Pakistan as a competitive player in the global workforce.
