Shehbaz Sharif urges fast-tracking modern skills training, global job placement
ISLAMABAD – In a significant step toward tackling youth unemployment, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday approved Pakistan’s first-ever Skills Impact Bond, a performance-based model designed to attract private investment for youth skills development.
Chairing a high-level meeting on the national employment roadmap, the prime minister emphasized the urgent need to align vocational training with current market demands and ensure that young people not only gain education but also land meaningful jobs.
“This isn’t just about training — it’s about transforming potential into productivity,” the prime minister said, while directing relevant authorities to accelerate efforts in skilling the youth and ensuring post-training employment opportunities.
The newly approved Skills Impact Bond follows a “Pay-for-Success” model, where funding from public or donor sources is only released when independently verified outcomes — such as job placements or income benchmarks — are achieved.
Officials briefed the prime minister on the broader vision of the programme, which aims to equip youth with high-demand skills both for domestic employment and international job markets. The initiative also encourages entrepreneurship and self-reliance, with a focus on long-term economic impact.
Shehbaz Sharif lauded the ongoing efforts of institutions including the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, and NAVTTC, acknowledging their role in creating new employment pathways for the country’s young population.
He further suggested that foreign language training should be offered to help Pakistani workers access better opportunities abroad. “We must equip our youth not only with skills but also with the tools to thrive globally,” he said.
The prime minister instructed officials to present a comprehensive roadmap outlining projected employment opportunities within Pakistan and abroad. He also announced that he will personally review progress every two months to ensure transparency and measurable results.
One of the key highlights of the discussion was the Digital Youth Hub, a central platform launched to connect youth with employment, training, and scholarship opportunities. So far, over 500,000 individuals have registered, with more than 1.7 million downloads of its app. The platform hosts listings for 47,000+ jobs in Pakistan, 100,000+ jobs abroad, 2,000+ scholarships, and connects with over 500 companies and institutions, including embassies, NGOs, and international organizations like the United Nations.
The prime minister called for a national awareness campaign to promote the platform and help young people make the most of available resources. “Our youth are Pakistan’s greatest asset. If we equip them with the right skills, we’re not just creating jobs — we’re shaping the future of this nation,” he said.
The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Ahad Cheema and Attaullah Tarar, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, MNA Amina Batool, and other senior officials.
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Shehbaz Sharif urges fast-tracking modern skills training, global job placement
ISLAMABAD – In a significant step toward tackling youth unemployment, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday approved Pakistan’s first-ever Skills Impact Bond, a performance-based model designed to attract private investment for youth skills development.
Chairing a high-level meeting on the national employment roadmap, the prime minister emphasized the urgent need to align vocational training with current market demands and ensure that young people not only gain education but also land meaningful jobs.
“This isn’t just about training — it’s about transforming potential into productivity,” the prime minister said, while directing relevant authorities to accelerate efforts in skilling the youth and ensuring post-training employment opportunities.
The newly approved Skills Impact Bond follows a “Pay-for-Success” model, where funding from public or donor sources is only released when independently verified outcomes — such as job placements or income benchmarks — are achieved.
Officials briefed the prime minister on the broader vision of the programme, which aims to equip youth with high-demand skills both for domestic employment and international job markets. The initiative also encourages entrepreneurship and self-reliance, with a focus on long-term economic impact.
Shehbaz Sharif lauded the ongoing efforts of institutions including the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis, and NAVTTC, acknowledging their role in creating new employment pathways for the country’s young population.
He further suggested that foreign language training should be offered to help Pakistani workers access better opportunities abroad. “We must equip our youth not only with skills but also with the tools to thrive globally,” he said.
The prime minister instructed officials to present a comprehensive roadmap outlining projected employment opportunities within Pakistan and abroad. He also announced that he will personally review progress every two months to ensure transparency and measurable results.
One of the key highlights of the discussion was the Digital Youth Hub, a central platform launched to connect youth with employment, training, and scholarship opportunities. So far, over 500,000 individuals have registered, with more than 1.7 million downloads of its app. The platform hosts listings for 47,000+ jobs in Pakistan, 100,000+ jobs abroad, 2,000+ scholarships, and connects with over 500 companies and institutions, including embassies, NGOs, and international organizations like the United Nations.
The prime minister called for a national awareness campaign to promote the platform and help young people make the most of available resources. “Our youth are Pakistan’s greatest asset. If we equip them with the right skills, we’re not just creating jobs — we’re shaping the future of this nation,” he said.
The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Ahad Cheema and Attaullah Tarar, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, MNA Amina Batool, and other senior officials.
