LAHORE, Nov 11: President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Saturday called for setting up technical training institutes at union council level to produce skilled manpower to meet the ever-increasing demand of trained workforce in the country, and to combat extremism through job provision.

Talking to newsmen during his visit to Lahore Institute of Technical Education (LITE) here at cantonment, he said the country was facing the problem of scarcity of skilled workers in computer, hotel management, tailoring and other sectors, which, he added, must be addressed.

He said more engineering varsities were also being established in various parts of the country to meet industrial sector needs. The demand of qualified technical hands was increasing in the wake of industrial development in the country, he observed.

The president said army’s Engineering Corps had also been directed to set up similar educational institutions and launch short courses to boost the sector. He said the youth after completing the courses could earn livelihood in a dignified manner for their families, besides contributing towards national development.

He said all the trainees belonging to different parts of the country, including Balochistan and FATA, were being paid a monthly stipend of Rs1,000.

Talking to students of LITE, he urged them to acquire technical education for better jobs.—APP