Collaboration with UNICEF to be further strengthened: Ch Shafay

LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Jul, 2026) Punjab Minister for Industries and Commerce, Chaudhry Shafay Hussain held a meeting with Rameez Behbudov, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Punjab, to discuss UNICEF's ongoing programmes in the province relating to education, health, skill development, child welfare and other social sectors.

The meeting, held at Punjab Skill Development Authority (PSIC) House on Monday, was also attended by UNICEF Education Specialist Sehar Raza Jafri and PSIC Director General Sarah Rashid. Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in child welfare, clean drinking water, environmental protection, education, special education and other areas of mutual interest.

Speaking on the occasion, Rameez Behbudov said that promotion of technical education for children had contributed to a reduction in child labour in Punjab. He added that UNICEF has been working in Pakistan since 1948 and is successfully implementing programmes in various cities across Punjab. He added that UNICEF plans to further expand the scope of its programmes in the province.

Provincial Minister Chaudhry Shafay Hussain appreciated UNICEF's contribution towards child welfare, education, healthcare and other development sectors in Punjab. He said, the Punjab Government would take further steps to strengthen cooperation with UNICEF in skill development, clean drinking water, education, healthcare and other priority areas.

The provincial minister said that brick kilns across the province are being shifted to zigzag technology as part of environmental protection initiatives. In line with the vision of Punjab Chief Minister, effective measures have been taken to eliminate child labour across the province.

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He added that children working at brick kilns are being removed from hazardous labour and provided with access to modern technical education.

He stated, Punjab board of Technical Education (PBTE) has established a Job Portal to facilitate employment opportunities for skilled youth. He also noted that, under the leadership of Federal Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain, the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis has signed agreements to send skilled manpower to Oman, Saudi Arabia and Italy.

Highlighting the government's industrial agenda, he said, the Punjab government is committed to promoting the electric vehicle (EV) sector, with EV assembly and manufacturing plants being established rapidly across the province. He said, interest-free loans are being provided to industrialists to promote industrial growth, while new industrial estates are being developed in accordance with industrial demand.

Chaudhry Shafay Hussain further said that Gujrat enjoys international recognition for its fan manufacturing, ceramics and furniture industries, with locally manufactured furniture being exported to European countries. He suggested that UNICEF could provide technical support for skill development initiatives in Gujrat Division.

The Minister also informed the delegation that for the first time, TEVTA institutions have introduced language courses in German, Arabic, Korean and Japanese, in addition to Chinese, to better prepare skilled workers for international employment opportunities.