Parwaz Card initiative: 135 skilled youths leave for KSA to start jobs
Why this matters: local context for readers following news across Pakistan and the region.
LAHORE: The Punjab government has sent the first batch, comprising 135 skilled youths, to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) under the ‘Parwaaz Card’ initiative. Addressing a ceremony in this regard here on Wednesday, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said the youths going abroad for employment would not merely be workers but ambassadors of Pakistan. She said providing quality vocational training to the youth of Punjab was her dream, which is being transformed into reality by Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) under the supervision of Skills Development and Entrepreneurship Department (SD&ED). Punjab Task Force on Skill Development Chairman Adnan Afzal Chattha and SD&ED Secretary Nadir Chattha, PSDF Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ahmed Khan, recruitment partners, representatives of the Bank of Punjab (BoP), overseas employment promoters and the Parwaaz Card beneficiaries attended the event. Interacting with the participants, Ms Nawaz inquired about their experience with the Parwaaz Card scheme and told them, “When you travel abroad under this programme, you will represent Pakistan. The country that has empowered you deserves to be portrayed positively in front of the world.” She said her vision extends beyond Punjab and that she wanted to ensure the provision of vocational training opportunities to young people across all provinces, where there was a need for skills development, enabling them to access better employment opportunities in global markets. “I want to see you off as a mother would bid farewell to her children. Just as you feel safe in Pakistan, I hope you remain safe in the countries where you have secured jobs and continue to make your country proud,” she said. During the ceremony, Adnan Chattha briefed the CM that 135 young people had secured placements in Saudi Arabia under the Parwaaz Card programme. The placements cover various sectors, including hospitality, healthcare, construction and other industries. He said the SD&ED was actively equipping Punjab’s