Under the dynamic leadership of Punjab chief minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, Punjab has achieved a remarkable milestone by providing skill training to over 180,000 youth within a few months under her flagship Skilled Youth Program. The initiative marked an unprecedented success in technical and vocational education, contributing significantly to employment and economic empowerment in the province.
In a high-level meeting chaired by Punjab chief minister, it was revealed that over 75,000 trained individuals have secured employment across Pakistan, while 15,000 have successfully obtained jobs in international organizations. She added that those employed include more than 27,500 graduates from TEVTA institutions, 45,000 graduates from Punjab Vocational Training Council (PVTC), and 1,428 graduates of Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF). She was also briefed that 350 female students trained through Garment City Project and 450 transgender individuals graduated under ‘Pehchan’ Skill Development Program have successfully gained employment. She highlighted that Punjab has witnessed a 21% increase in technical training compared to past five years.
Chief Minister directed the relevant authorities to launch a new industrial survey in order to align skills training with market needs. She also gave in-principle approval to introduce “Maryam Nawaz Free Travel Card” for skilled youth seeking job opportunities abroad. The authorities concerned further briefed her that in a major step to modernize construction sector, 24 state-of-the-art construction labs have been established, in which a total of 2,450 youth in Bahawalpur, Multan, Bhakkar, Mianwali, and other cities will be trained in modern construction techniques. So far, 830 youth have completed training, 1,178 are currently enrolled and 975 more will be inducted in the next batch. They further apprised the Chief Minister that Hospitality Training Program has also made significant progress as 96 youth have successfully completed their training while 96 more are under training. An additional 100 will be trained in the next phase in Rawalpindi, Multan, and Faisalabad.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was briefed that in the Garment City Project, 510 youth have completed training, with 350 employed and training continues for remaining 980 students. Another 960 candidates will soon begin their training. The relevant authorities informed that under International Outreach Program, an impressive 112,000 youth have received specialized training, preparing them for global employment opportunities. They further informed that the province has also upgraded 2,158 training labs, which are now serving 28,140 students across Punjab.
Chief Minister approved new rules and regulations for Department of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, along with the development of a modern curriculum and training modules. Plans for 2025-26 include training 201,485 youth, with 15,531 already trained locally and 4,230 trained internationally in the current fiscal year. They further briefed her that ‘Pehchan’ Skill Development Program for Transgenders has completed training of 11,000 individuals, out of which 470 have already been employed, whereas, another 1,300 are currently undergoing training. Participants are also being provided with machinery and essential tools to support entrepreneurship.
The authorities responsible apprised Chief Minister Punjab that the government has allocated Rs. 1 billion for “Main Digital” Program, targeting 3,000 rural women for IT training. The first phase covers Bahawalpur, Sargodha, Gujranwala, Lodhran and Faisalabad, with a target to train more than 2,100 women by April 1, 2026. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s commitment to skill development is reshaping Punjab’s workforce and opening new doors of opportunity for the youth, women and marginalized communities across Punjab.
Separately, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has extended her heartiest congratulations to Sanae Takaichi on becoming the first female Prime Minister of Japan.
In her message of felicitation, the Chief Minister said that Sanae Takaichi’s historic election marks the beginning of a new era for Japan. She added that the rise of women to leadership positions by breaking traditional barriers brings a new ray of hope and enlightenment to society. CM Maryam Nawaz expressed confidence that Prime Minister Takaichi’s leadership will pave the way for greater gender equality and progressive transformation in the region.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed profound sorrow over tragic loss of 05 lives, including 04 young girls in a traffic accident due to overturning of a truck on a rickshaw near Jahanian. She extended her heartfelt sympathies and condolence to the bereaved families and prayed that may Allah Almighty grant courage and patience to the bereaved families to bear this irreparable loss. She directed Deputy Commissioner Khanewal to ensure immediate and best medical treatment to the injured.