Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired an inter-ministerial meeting to review a three-year plan aimed at enhancing professional training and employment opportunities for Pakistani youth in key sectors such as information technology, industry, and nursing.
During the meeting, the prime minister emphasized that Pakistan’s skilled workforce is a crucial asset and directed relevant authorities to align vocational training programs with both local industry demands and international job markets. He instructed an expansion in nursing training institutions to meet global standards and assured full financial support to the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) for skill development initiatives. Institutions with poor performance would be blacklisted, while those delivering results would be encouraged.
NAVTTC officials briefed the meeting on their training targets, stating that 60,000 individuals had already completed training in the current year. By June 2025, an additional 141,000 people would be trained, followed by 250,000 in 2026 and 337,000 in 2027. A significant portion of this training is geared toward overseas employment, particularly in Saudi Arabia, where over 29,000 Pakistani workers have secured jobs through NAVTTC programs. The target is to train 40,000 workers for Saudi Arabia in 2025, 100,000 in 2026, and 150,000 in 2027.
Additionally, 50,000 trained individuals are expected to secure jobs in various other countries by the end of 2025, with the number increasing to 100,000 in 2026 and 200,000 in 2027. Efforts to gain international accreditation for Pakistani training institutes are also underway, with plans to secure recognition from 72 institutions by June 2025.
The meeting was informed about progress in developing a modern curriculum, skill demand surveys in industries, and accreditation of trainers. It was also noted that over 2,500 madrasa students had already received professional training, with plans to train 3,000 more by June 2025, 20,000 in 2026, and 30,000 in 2027 across various fields.
The Ministry of Information Technology reported ongoing efforts to train over 92,000 individuals in advanced IT courses and equip 2.1 million freelancers with digital skills over the next three years. A National ICT Skills Ecosystem is also being developed to enhance employment prospects both locally and internationally.
Additionally, officials presented a detailed plan for reforms in the nursing sector, including workforce expansion and improving the global employability of Pakistani nurses.
The meeting was attended by federal ministers Ahad Khan Cheema and Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Minister of State for IT Shaza Fatima Khawaja, PM’s Coordinator for Health Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed Bharath, Higher Education Commission Chairman Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, and other senior officials.
