SHANGLA: Provincial minister for labour and culture Shaukat Yousafzai said on Saturday that the youth should learn different skills as numerous opportunities would soon appear for skilled youth under various projects of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

He was addressing the certificates and toolkits distribution ceremony for the youth of Shangla district in Bisham. It was organised under the Livelihood Support and Promotion of Small Community Infrastructure Project (LACIP-II) implemented by SRSP in collaboration with the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund.

He said that Shangla was one of the most backward districts in the country which remained neglected during the previous governments.

“The previous elected representatives did nothing for development of the district. This is why majority of the residents of this district go to coal mines for work,” he said.

The minister said that youth was the real asset of Pakistan and the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government had been giving importance to them. “Many opportunities will appear for the skilled youth of the country under CPEC,” he said and praised the PPAF and SRSP for imparting skills to the youth of Shangla by arranging training programmes.

SRSP Shangla district officer Abdul Qahar said that about 325 youth from four union councils of the district were being trained in different skills and trades for livelihood enhancement.

“After the trainings proper toolkits will be given to them so they could earn livelihood for their families,” he said.

Programme manager Mr Nasrullah congratulated the youth and thanked Mr Yousafzai for attending the ceremony.

In the end, Mr Yousafzai distributed toolkits and certificates among 80 youth from three union councils of Shangla who completed their trainings in different skills such as computer literacy and plumbing.

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2021