QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti has inaugurated the Chief Minister Youth Skills Development Programme. The initiative aims to train 30,000 youth from Balochistan in phases, providing them with job opportunities abroad.

In the first phase, 2,500 youths, selected on merit, from various areas of the province will depart for training abroad, a senior official told Dawn. After completing their training, these individuals will secure jobs overseas.

During the inaugural ceremony on Friday, the chief minister expressed that sending skilled youth from Balochistan abroad for employment has been a long-held dream, a sentiment he shared in his first speech to the provincial assembly.

He announced that this year marks the beginning of sending the first batch of youth from the province abroad.

Acknowledging the significant challenge of unemployment, especially with limited job opportunities in the government sector, CM Bugti proposed that training youth for international employment is a viable solution.

He assured that the selection process would strictly adhere to merit, with equal representation from every district in Balochistan.

A third-party will oversee the selection of qualified candidates to ensure transparency and fairness.

The chief minister emphasised that no jobs in Balochistan would be sold and reiterated the importance of meritocracy.

He encouraged the youth to focus on development opportunities and cautioned against misguided paths, asserting that the Balochistan government is prioritising youth by reallocating resources from other needs and projects.

Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2024