In a major push for youth empowerment and industrial growth, Planning and Development Minister Prof. Ahsan Iqbal announced that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will generate 1,000 new jobs in the coming years. Speaking at the agreement signing ceremony between Hazza Institute of Technology and NAVTTC in Beijing, the minister emphasized the urgency of preparing a skilled workforce to meet the demands of emerging industries.
Highlighting the significance of this partnership, he stated that the new phase of CPEC will prioritize Business-to-Business (B2B) cooperation and the industrialization of Pakistan. “With Uraan Pakistan as our vision and China’s vocational education model as a guide, we aim to convert our youth bulge into an engine of economic transformation,” he said.
Prof. Iqbal explained that this agreement is not just a formality but a step in Pakistan’s broader journey of economic transformation, one that relies heavily on skill development and innovation. The collaboration with Chinese institutions aims to empower Pakistan’s youth through advanced vocational and technical training, preparing them for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Pakistan, with two-thirds of its population under 30, has one of the youngest workforces globally. However, the minister cautioned that in an age shaped by AI, robotics, big data, and green tech, traditional jobs are disappearing, and new roles require entirely new skill sets. “If we do not act now, we risk losing a generation. But if we rise to the challenge, Pakistan can enter a new era of prosperity,” he stressed.
Under the Uraan Pakistan Program and the 5Es economic framework, youth skill development has been marked as a strategic pillar. NAVTTC has already trained 1.5 million young Pakistanis, with 70% securing productive employment and enjoying a 30% rise in incomes.
Citing China’s rapid transformation from an agrarian economy to a tech-driven global leader, he said Pakistan must follow a similar path. The goal is to create multiple centers of vocational excellence across Pakistan, equipped with Chinese expertise in AI, smart tech, renewable energy, ecommerce, and advanced manufacturing.
Prof. Iqbal noted that every rupee spent on skills development yields triple returns for the economy and, more importantly, restores hope, dignity, and self-reliance to young people.
The agreement between Hazza Institute of Technology and NAVTTC aims to deepen collaboration in vocational and technical education, promote innovation, and build a sustainable workforce supply chain for Chinese and global employers. The partnership also includes technology transfer, student and faculty exchanges, and joint efforts in building training programs tailored to market demands.
Related Stories:
Pak-China Institute Students Visit Gwadar Port Facilities
NAVTTC chairperson highlights Chinese model for skills training
