• Calls technical education ‘urgent requirement’ amid limited govt jobs
• Balochistan chief secretary, PM’s aide discuss steps to curb polio

QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti on Tuesday directed that technical training institutions be modernised through institutional reforms, saying that equipping youth with internationally recognised skills and aligning them with the needs of the global market had become an urgent necessity.

CM Bugti issued the directives while chairing the 10th meeting of the Board of Balochistan Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (BTEVTA) held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.

The meeting approved several agenda items related to institutional reforms, performance improvement, financial discipline and annual financial matters. It decided to take measures to make the BTEVTA more active, effective and aligned with modern-day requirements.

Participants agreed to introduce advanced technology and market-oriented training programmes aimed at empowering the youth of Balochistan. They also stressed the need for innovation in ongoing programmes to provide improved technical training and better employment opportunities for young people.

The chief minister observed that non-development expenditures in Balochistan were increasing significantly every year, while it was not possible to provide government jobs to every individual. He said special emphasis on promoting technical education and vocational training was therefore essential.

The meeting also reviewed the ongoing Overseas Youth Employment Programme in Balochistan.

CM Bugti ordered action against firms showing slow progress in the programme and expressed concern over problems being faced by some youth sent abroad under the initiative. He directed the immediate resolution of complaints and strict action against firms found violating agreements.

Polio eradication

Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan held a meeting with Ayesha Raza Farooq, the prime minister’s focal person for polio eradication, to discuss eliminating the crippling disease from the province and ensuring the success of the upcoming vaccination campaign.

Khan informed Ms Farooq that making Balochistan polio-free is a shared commitment of all stakeholders.

The chief secretary directed the provincial coordinator of Emergency Operations Centre to increase the number of teams to achieve better coverage and eliminate polio. He stressed the importance of strengthening routine immunisation.

Published in Dawn, May 13th, 2026