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Awort puts a long shadow in Pakistan. A report from the 2025 World Bank notes that about 45 % of the population is below the poverty line. Based on the latest global boundaries for lower middle -income countries, about 16.5 % of Pakistanis live in extreme poverty, which lives in less than $ 3 a day. These figures are based on the data pre -episode of the Coid -19 pandemic diseases and do not calculate the increasing cost of economic slowdown or disasters such as 2022 floods. Most experts believe that today’s situation is worse.
One of the effective ways to fight poverty is to give people skills that can help them live a decent life. The development of skills allows young people and women to get jobs, start small businesses or work abroad. This does not just reduce poverty, which also plays an important role in the long -term economic growth.
According to the World Bank, Pakistan’s Neet (not in education, employment or training) for youth in 2021 (children aged 15-29) was 34.56 %. Background background youth, especially in rural areas, is even higher in girls, who often lack education, movements and access to employment opportunities.
Recognizing this, under the dynamic leadership of Senator Rubina Khalid, the Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) is taking a bold step beyond cash aid. Known to affiliate with social protection and empower women, BISP Chairperson has fought against measures that offer long -term impact. In 2025, the BISP launched a skill training for its beneficiaries and their families, the BISP launched the Benazir Hanaramand Program (BHP). The purpose is not just a training offer, but also to prepare people for real employment opportunities for Pakistan and abroad.
The BHP is focused on the trade that is in demand, such as construction, health care, hospitality, IT and others. It also pays special attention to women and youth in rural areas. Most importantly, it aims to provide internationally accepted certification, making it easier to compete with graduates in the global job market. However, the search for training institutions in Pakistan that meets international standards remains a challenge.
Currently countries like Germany are looking for skilled immigrants. In 2024, Germany suffered a shortage of 570,000 skilled workers in various fields. They want to fill this gap through immigration. This can be a golden opportunity for Pakistan. Are we ready to seize it?
At this time, the answer is: not completely. According to the migration bureau’s 2024 data, more than 800,000 Pakistanis migrate for work every year, mostly in the Gulf. But 58 % of them are non -skilled. This means that they often end up in low wage jobs. Meanwhile, countries like India and the Philippines have invested a lot in the development of skills and internationally accepted certificates. As a result, their immigrants earn more, send large home remittances, and are in demand.
Recent personalities from Germany clearly show this. According to Germany’s Economic Institute, Dyeelt, and Deutsche Welle, in 2023, the monthly salary of Indian immigrants in Germany was 5,359, while an average German worker earned $ 3,945. In comparison, the middle salary of Pakistani immigrants was only 9,979. The key difference is the ability. Many Indian immigrants work in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and math) that are more demanding and paying well globally.
Pakistan’s educational system is not associated with this opportunity. In consultation with the recent closed doors with professors of well -known universities, it has been revealed that the employment rate of IT graduates is more than 90 %. This is less than 50 % for social science graduates. It highlights the need to link training and education to the job market.
There are a big difference in Pakistan’s technical and professional education system. According to the National Skills Information System, only 4 % of young people enter the skills, while in general education compared to 69 %. Nevertheless, TVET graduates are more likely to do jobs. A 2023 study by the GIZ and the Bureau of Migration revealed that 70 % of professional training is looking for graduates. They produce about 80 % of Pakistan’s wage remittances.
Under the leadership of Gulmina Bilal, the National Professional and Technical Training Commission is working to improve the quality and identity of skill training in Pakistan. Their efforts to introduce the benchmark certification internationally, modernize the curriculum and harmonize with the private sector are commendable. But the challenges, especially when they talk about scale, quality assurance and industry contacts.
To strengthen the results, BISP is developing a strategic partnership with Navttc and Provincial TEVTAS, which is aligning the Benzier -Hentermand program with national expertise strategies. In order to ensure such harmony, the training is necessary for jobs home and abroad.
Programs like BHP are trying to change the statement. With international certification, employment placement and focus on demanding skills, it represents the most essential change in the direction. The decision of the BISP is timely and insightful not only through cash but also through skill. The entire ecosystem should improve around Surch, from curriculum to employment matches to institutions.
Examples of the region offer useful lessons. The Philippines created its Tyseda System to offer training, which directly leads to jobs, especially overseas. Bangladesh linked training with clothing and construction sectors. India has focused on STEM and global certification, which helps it help to earn more and more abroad.
Pakistan can do the same, but it requires planning, coordination and smart investment. Lonely training is not enough. People also need link to follow -up support tools, guardians and jobs or markets. A woman in Khairpur who completed the tailoring course cannot afford the sewing machine, so she occasionally earns less than Rs 2,000 from work. His case suggests that skills should be similar to opportunities.
The good news is that Pakistan lacks capabilities, just to develop and support it. Programs such as Benazir Hanaramand Programs provide the opportunity to break the poverty cycle by converting the wages to those who benefit from income support. If Pakistan wants to build its people for the future, home or abroad, it should be considered as a national priority.
The author is an Islamabad journalist, researcher and media trainer. Former Daniel Pearl/AFPP colleague, he shared the LA Times in the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News. He tweets @iconi
