PM Shehbaz directs Pakistani embassies to identify overseas jobs for youth

Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed Pakistan’s diplomatic missions across the world to play a more proactive role in identifying overseas employment opportunities for Pakistani workers, underscoring the government’s resolve to expand access to foreign jobs for skilled and qualified citizens.

While presiding over a meeting to review youth employment initiatives, the prime minister said Pakistan possesses a talented workforce capable of competing internationally and stressed the importance of strengthening engagement with global labour markets.

PM Shehbaz directed embassies to regularly gather details about available vacancies in their host countries, along with the qualifications and skills required for those positions, and share the information with relevant authorities.

He also tasked the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), and the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme with ensuring that young Pakistanis receive market-oriented technical training, foreign language education, and internationally accepted certifications to improve their prospects of securing employment abroad.

The prime minister observed that Pakistan’s human resource has considerable potential and said the government is committed to equipping workers with education and professional training that meet global standards, enabling them to compete successfully in international job markets.

Calling for stronger collaboration with foreign partners, he directed all concerned institutions to work towards securing international recognition for Pakistani qualifications.

PM Shehbaz further directed that language courses, together with certification programmes, be introduced for countries offering employment opportunities to skilled Pakistani workers.

The prime minister also sought a detailed assessment of the performance of technical and vocational institutes operating under NAVTTC and directed officials to submit a report on the establishment of Country of Destination Centres.

During the meeting, participants were given a comprehensive briefing on employment opportunities available for Pakistan’s workforce, particularly young people.

Officials informed the meeting that more than 800,000 young Pakistanis have already registered with the Digital Youth Hub, which connects job seekers with overseas opportunities in sectors such as construction, agriculture, tourism, healthcare, transportation, biotechnology, manufacturing, shipbuilding, information technology, engineering, nursing, pharmaceuticals, and food production.

The meeting was further informed that specialised training programmes are already in progress to prepare Pakistanis for employment in these industries.

The officials added that Pakistani embassies would make information on international job openings and their eligibility requirements available through the Digital Youth Hub portal.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Federal Ministers 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 attended the meeting.