PM orders embassies to speed up search for overseas jobs

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Monday directed Pakistani embassies abroad to speed up efforts to identify employment opportunities for Pakistani workers, especially youth.

Chairing a review meeting on youth employment, the prime minister also ordered the full digitisation of the Protectorate of Immigration system.

Shehbaz said Pakistan’s workforce was capable and the government was taking all possible steps to provide international-standard education, skills training and global access to young people.

He directed the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, NAVTTC and the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme to ensure skills training, language courses and certifications for workers seeking jobs abroad.

The prime minister said Pakistani embassies should provide data on available jobs in different countries and raise awareness about overseas employment opportunities.

He also directed institutions to strengthen coordination with other countries to align Pakistani certifications with international standards.

Shehbaz said language training should be ensured along with certification for countries where jobs were available for Pakistani skilled workers.

Officials briefed the meeting that 800,000 young people had registered with the Digital Youth Hub.

The meeting was told that overseas employment opportunities were available in construction, agriculture, tourism, health, transport, biotechnology, manufacturing, shipbuilding, information technology, engineering, nursing, pharmaceuticals and food processing.

Officials said training programmes were underway to prepare Pakistani workers for jobs in these sectors.

The meeting was informed that Pakistani embassies would provide details of job openings in different countries and required qualifications through the Digital Youth Hub portal.

The prime minister also sought a report on the performance of technical and vocational training institutions under NAVTTC and the establishment of Country of Destination Centres.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers Dr Musadik Malik, Attaullah Tarar and Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, NAVTTC Chairman Raja Qamarul Islam, Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan and senior officials attended the meeting.