Punjab govt empowering youth through technology, vocational training: CM

LAHORE, Jul 15 (APP): Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said the Punjab government was committed to equipping the province’s youth with modern technology and vocational skills.

She urged them to embrace freelancing, information technology and technical trades to contribute to Pakistan’s progress and prosperity.

In her message on World Youth Skills Day, the chief minister said a technologically skilled and professionally trained youth was the country’s greatest asset and the driving force behind its future development.

She said the Punjab government had allocated substantial resources to promote youth skill development and entrepreneurship. More than 108,000 people had benefited from the Asaan Karobar and Asaan Finance schemes, while young entrepreneurs were being provided interest-free loans ranging from Rs1 million to Rs3 million under the Asaan Karobar Scheme.

Maryam Nawaz said 2,000 young graduates were receiving a monthly stipend of Rs60,000 under the Agriculture Internship Programme to gain practical experience in the agricultural sector.

She said vocational training institutes across Punjab were offering internationally aligned courses in information technology, construction, masonry, welding, tile fixing and heavy vehicle maintenance. She added that 10,000 skilled youth had secured employment opportunities in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries in line with international labour market requirements.

The CM said Punjab had, for the first time, introduced e-commerce, digital marketing and advanced IT courses into its skills development curriculum to prepare young people for emerging economic opportunities.

Highlighting women’s empowerment, she said the Sehar Programme was providing vocational training in beautification, hospitality and airline management to 5,365 women across the province. The participants were also receiving free laptops and a monthly stipend of Rs7,500, she added.