ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday ordered a monthly review of the implementation of National Youth Employment Policy, directing the authorities to take coordinated and effective measures to create more jobs for young people.
Chairing a meeting to review progress on the policy, the prime minister said providing dignified employment to the country’s skilled and talented youth was among the government’s top priorities.
He said the launch of the country’s first National Youth Employment Policy reflected the government’s sincere efforts and stressed that inter-ministerial coordination and a comprehensive strategy were essential for implementing it effectively.
Sharif called for special attention to equipping young people, particularly women, with skills to enable their participation in new employment opportunities.
He also directed the authorities to focus on providing employment opportunities to young people across the country, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The meeting was informed that institutional reforms had been introduced in the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) to align the country’s skilled workforce with business and industrial demand at home and abroad.
A briefing told the meeting that NAVTTC was taking special measures to facilitate international certification for the workforce and improve proficiency in the languages required in overseas labour markets.
Young people seeking employment abroad were being provided with training according to market demand, the meeting was informed.
The government is also using the Digital Youth Hub to provide young people with details of employment opportunities in Pakistan and abroad through a single platform, according to the briefing.
The prime minister directed the authorities to launch an awareness campaign to inform young people about the benefits and opportunities available to them under the National Youth Employment Policy.
He further directed all ministries and relevant institutions to work together through coordination and consultation to ensure effective implementation of the policy.
The meeting was also informed that Youth Development Cells were being established in educational institutions.
The cells would provide guidance and career counselling to young people and inform them about employment and skill-development opportunities.
Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood briefed the prime minister on the measures taken in accordance with his directives.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, Planning and Development Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Cheema, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Climate Change Minister Musadik Malik, IT Minister Shaza Fatima and senior officials.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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