QUETTA: Balochistan Governor Amanullah Khan Yasinzai has said that involving the youth in all socioeconomic activities and making them part of policy making is the need of the hour.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of “Governor’s Youth Pehchan Programme” here on Thursday, he said: “I want to assure you that this programme will create opportunities for students of backward areas. They will be a part of an excellent training and capacity building programme and career counseling facilities.”

Initially, this programme would be launched in Quetta, Pishin, Khuzdar, Nushki, Mastung and Kharan.

He said for brining Balochistan on the path of development the government should utilise talent, knowledge and experience of researchers. “They are our assets and we must benefit from their knowledge for development of the province,” Mr Yasinzai said.

Yasinzai says students of backward areas will benefit from initiative

He appreciated linking of this programme with the campuses of universities in six districts of the province.

The governor said through this programme initially the youths of six districts would be enabled to realise their dreams. The programme was aimed at providing the youths an opportunity to acquire modern technical skills, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, federal Minister for Defence Production Zubaida Jalal, who is also an educationist and social worker, said that there was a time when government posts stayed vacant in far off areas of the province because no one was willing to fill them out of fear.

“Now the situation has improved and the Youth Pehchan Programme is a proof that now the citizens of Balochistan living in far off areas would also have access to equal educational and training opportunities,” she said.

Chief Executive of Individual Land Gulmina Bilal Ahmed said, “Today marks a historic day for the youths of Balochistan. The Balochistan government is going to keep its promise by initiating the Pehchan programme for the youths.”

She said the programme would allow the youths of Balochistan to polish their skills and have equal access to opportunities.

Senator Anwarul Haq Kakar said under the programme students would get training in journalism-related courses, communication skills, media and information technology, social and economic entrepreneurship and technical training related to computers.

CEO of Balochistan Rural Support Programme Nadir Gul Barech, former Senator Saifullah Khan Magsi, vice chancellors of the universities, officials concerned and a large number of students were also present at the launching ceremony.

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2020