PM mobilises diplomacy to increase overseas jobs for Pakistani youth

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed Pakistan's embassies across the world to proactively identify and facilitate overseas employment opportunities for skilled Pakistanis, underscoring the government's commitment to equipping the country's youth with internationally recognised qualifications and connecting them with global labour markets.

Chairing a high-level review meeting on youth employment, the prime minister said Pakistan's young workforce possessed enormous potential and stressed that diplomatic missions must play a more active role in expanding overseas job opportunities by gathering and sharing information on vacancies, required qualifications and labour market demands in their respective host countries.

He instructed the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and the Prime Minister's Youth Programme to ensure that young Pakistanis receive high-quality vocational training, foreign language education and internationally recognised certifications to enhance their employability abroad.

The prime minister observed that Pakistan's workforce was highly capable and said the government was making every effort to provide education and technical training that meets global standards and responds to evolving international market requirements.

Emphasising closer international collaboration, he directed all relevant institutions to strengthen cooperation with foreign governments and organisations to ensure Pakistani technical certifications are aligned with internationally accepted standards.

The prime minister also instructed authorities to provide language training alongside professional certification for countries offering employment opportunities to Pakistani workers, enabling them to compete more effectively in overseas labour markets.

He further sought a comprehensive report on the performance of technical and vocational training institutes operating under NAVTTC, as well as progress on establishing Country of Destination Centres aimed at preparing workers according to the specific requirements of foreign employers.

During the meeting, officials informed the prime minister that more than 800,000 young Pakistanis had already registered with the Digital Youth Hub, which serves as a platform connecting youth with employment, training and career opportunities.

Participants were told that significant overseas employment opportunities currently exist in sectors including construction, agriculture, tourism, healthcare, transportation, biotechnology, manufacturing, shipbuilding, information technology, engineering, nursing, pharmaceuticals and food production.

The meeting was informed that specialised training programmes are already underway to prepare Pakistani workers for employment in these high-demand sectors.

Officials also briefed the prime minister that Pakistani embassies would provide updated information on overseas employment opportunities and qualification requirements through the Digital Youth Hub, enabling job seekers to access verified opportunities more efficiently.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers Dr Musadik Malik, Attaullah Tarar and Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, NAVTTC Chairman Raja Qamar-ul-Islam, Prime Minister's Youth Programme Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan and other senior government officials.