‘Future of Nation’: PM vows to empower youth with global skills, boost employment

• Premier Shehbaz says comprehensive NAVTTC programs already showing positive results nationwide

• Says PM Youth Hub, IT, healthcare, tourism, logistics sectors offer growing job opportunities

• Highlights HEC tracking employment of graduates from 282 universities to shape policies

• Noting Matric-Tech and upcoming Inter-Tech programs to expand technical training

• Emphasizes govt facilitates investors in telecom and digital sectors to boost economy

• Says 5G spectrum auction and digitalization strategy attract international investors

 ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday described the youth as the “future of the nation,” highlighting the government’s focus on equipping young Pakistanis with technical and vocational skills in high-demand fields through international certifications, state media reported.

Chairing a meeting on enhancing employment opportunities for youth, the Prime Minister said positive results were already emerging from the comprehensive training programs launched under the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), aimed at harnessing the full potential of the country’s young population, said a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی زیرِ صدارت نوجوانوں کے لیے ملازمت کے مواقع بڑھانے کے لیے اقدامات کے حوالے سے جائزہ اجلاس

وزیراعظم نے کہا کہ بین الاقوامی سطح پر زیادہ مانگ والے ہنر کے حوالے سے نوجوانوں کو بین الاقوامی سرٹیفیکیشن کے ساتھ فنی و تکنیکی تربیت اولین ترجیح ہے۔ نیشنل… pic.twitter.com/BletIkGP25

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) April 1, 2026

Expressing satisfaction over the performance of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program under the leadership of Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, he underscored government initiatives to provide professional skills that integrate youth effectively into the workforce. He directed that work on technical and vocational training initiatives be accelerated to align with contemporary industry requirements.

The Prime Minister noted that reforms within NAVTTC had led to significant improvements in the quality and accessibility of technical training. The meeting was briefed on measures to create employment opportunities for youth at both national and international levels. The PM Youth Program, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has already identified multiple international job opportunities for Pakistani youth, with additional avenues under exploration, the statement added.

It was highlighted that the PM Youth Hub has become a central platform for information on job opportunities, particularly in the IT, healthcare, construction, tourism, and logistics sectors, which currently offer numerous employment options.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chairs a meeting regarding measures taken to increase employment opportunities for the national youth, in Islamabad. pic.twitter.com/en45Gv257x

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) April 1, 2026

The meeting also noted that the Higher Education Commission (HEC) is monitoring the employment status of graduates from 282 universities through a digital application, maintaining a database of employed graduates to inform future education policies, the PMO said.

In terms of education-to-employment pathways, the Matric-Tech program has been introduced in 32 institutions under the Federal Ministry of Education, with an Inter-Tech program for technical and vocational training slated for launch soon.

وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف کی زیرِ صدارت نوجوانوں کے لیے ملازمت کے مواقع بڑھانے کے لیے اقدامات کے حوالے سے جائزہ اجلاس

اجلاس کو بتایا گیا کہ پرائم منسٹر یوتھ پروگرام اور وزارتِ خارجہ عالمی سطح پر نوجوانوں کے لیے ملازمت کے متعدد مواقع شناخت کر چکی ہے اور مزید مواقع تلاش کرنے پر کام… pic.twitter.com/eOoXMJDfmL

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) April 1, 2026

Federal ministers Dr. Musadik Malik, Ahad Khan Cheema, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Attaullah Tarar, Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Dr. Ahsan Iqbal, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kiani, HEC Chairman, Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, and senior officials of the relevant departments attended the meeting.

‘Government Promotes Digital and Telecom Investment’

In a related development, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the government is providing all possible facilities to investors in the digital and telecom sectors to promote Pakistan’s digital economy.

وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف سے عالمی ڈیجیٹل آپریٹر کمپنی VEON گروپ کے چیف ایگزیکٹو آفیسر کان ترزی اوعلو کی وفد کے ہمراہ ملاقات

وزیراعظم نے کہا بین الاقوامی سرمایہ کاروں، بالخصوص انفارمیشن ٹیکنالوجی کے شعبے میں سرمایہ کاری کی سہولت کے لیے حکومت پُرعزم ہے۔ پاکستان معیشت کے شعبے میں… pic.twitter.com/KcDXQlob3v

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) April 1, 2026

“The recent successful auction of 5G spectrum reflects that the government is moving in the right direction,” the Prime Minister said while meeting VEON Group CEO Kaan Terzioglu and his delegation at the PM House, the PMO said in a separate statement.

He stated that Pakistan is pursuing a comprehensive strategy to boost foreign investment and innovation in information technology, emphasizing the use of IT to advance a cashless economy and ensure transparency.

Group CEO of multinational telecommunication and digital services company VEON Mr. Kaan Terzioglu called on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad. pic.twitter.com/AFuP5pu6Nq

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) April 1, 2026

Following the 5G auction, the Prime Minister noted that all relevant institutions are working in close coordination with telecom operators to provide high-quality internet services to the public. He stressed that the youth can play a pivotal role in strengthening the economy and improving service delivery through active participation in IT and digital platforms.

He added that the growing interest of young people in IT and telecom is attracting international investors to Pakistan.

وزیراعظم محمد شہباز شریف سے عالمی ڈیجیٹل آپریٹر VEON گروپ کے چیف ایگزیکٹو آفیسر کان ترزی اوعلو کی وفد کے ہمراہ ملاقات

وزیراعظم نے اس موقع پر وفد کو خوش آمدید کہا اورخیر سگالی کے جذبات کا اظہار کیا۔

اس موقع پر عالمی ڈیجیٹل آپریٹر VEON گروپ کے چیف ایگزیکٹو آفیسر کان ترزی… pic.twitter.com/EOvh0ulLbJ

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) April 1, 2026

On the occasion, Kaan Terzioglu lauded the government’s initiatives under the Prime Minister’s leadership to promote a cashless economy and full digitalization, and expressed his company’s intention to expand investment in Pakistan.

The meeting was attended by Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister for Information Technology Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, CEO Jazz World Aamir Ibrahim, and other senior officials.