KARACHI: Federal Health Minister Syed Mustafa Kamal has announced his full cooperation for the immediate establishment of a nursing school at Karachi University (KU), once a formal request is submitted in this regard.
He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the ‘Career Connect 2026’ organised by KU’s department of computer science on Thursday.
The event featured a large number of stalls set up by companies and industrial and commercial organisations, showcasing their work and the employment opportunities available to students.
Appreciating the exhibition, he said it would help strengthen the link between the academia and the industry.
“Karachi University (KU) is the city’s foremost academic and research capital. The government will extend every possible support for its development and for the promotion of educational and research activities on campus,” he said.
He emphasised that effective and coordinated measures were urgently needed to guide students in the right direction, provide them with quality education, vocational training, and modern skills.
He noted that accurate diagnosis was fundamental to solving any problem, while clear strategy, continued effort, and effective guidance were vital for aligning KU with modern educational and research requirements and leading it towards new milestones of progress.
Highlighting the global demand for nursing professionals, the minister said that Pakistan could expand its contribution to the international healthcare workforce by producing better-trained, highly skilled, and well-educated nurses.
“Such initiatives could create employment opportunities for Pakistani youth and increase remittances, contributing to the country’s economy,” he added.
He said that there was a global need for 2.5 million nurses, while Pakistan alone required 900,000. Currently, about 5,500 Pakistani nurses were working abroad, compared to 650,000 nurses from a neighboring country serving overseas, he said.
The minister also shared concern over the mounting pressure on the healthcare system, stating that the country’s healthcare capacity was struggling to meet the needs of its growing population.
He emphasised that every child should receive essential healthcare from birth, including the recommended 13 childhood vaccine doses as part of the national immunisation schedule, alongside appropriate medical care and preventive health services.
He further highlighted the severe challenge of child stunting, identifying inadequate access to clean drinking water, sufficient nutritious food, and quality education as key contributing factors.
Addressing the gravity of maternal and child health outcomes, he cited figures showing that approximately 1,300 children under the age of five died daily from preventable causes, alongside thousands of maternal deaths occurring each year, emphasizing the urgent need to expand healthcare access and improve clinical outcomes.
“Around 11,000 mothers die annually during pregnancy. These figures point to the grave challenges facing public health, which require integrated measures, effective strategies, and urgent improvement of basic health facilities.”
Earlier, KU Vice Chancellor Prof Waseem Qazi announced that the department of computer science would be developed as a model institution, and within next two months, its administrative and operational functions would be digitized.
He also shared that a proposal was being finalised to establish a Pak-China centre at the KU for artificial intelligence and cyber security.
Chairman KU department of computer science Dr Sadiq Ali Khan explained that the annual Career Connect programme provided students with training, internships, and exposure to modern technology, preparing them to meet market requirements.
He emphasised that collaboration between industry and universities was essential for national development, advanced research, and the preparation of a skilled workforce.
Published in Dawn, October 23rd, 2026
