KP CM for results-driven skills programmes to boost youth employment

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Mar, 2026) Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sohail Afridi, on Thursday directed authorities to ensure visible outcomes from ongoing technical education and skills development initiatives, stressing that youth employment remains a central priority of the provincial government.

Chairing a high-level meeting of the Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority, the CM reviewed progress on multiple programmes aimed at equipping young people with market-oriented skills and improving their access to jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities.

He noted that billions of rupees are being invested in youth-focused schemes and underlined the need for effective implementation to translate these investments into tangible benefits.

He emphasized alignment of training programmes with market demands to enhance employability.

The meeting was informed that under the Rural Economic Transformation Project around 42,000 youth are being provided startup grants averaging Rs73,000 each. So far, Rs397 million has been disbursed among 5,445 beneficiaries.

In Peshawar, employment opportunities are being created for 750 trained youth, while an overall target has been set for internship and placement of 25,000 youth.

Under the Ehsaas Hunar Programme, interest-free loans of up to Rs500,000 are being extended to youth at a total cost of Rs3 billion. So far, Rs585 million has been distributed among 1,211 applicants.

Additionally, TEVTA has launched a special programme to enhance youth skills, offering a monthly stipend of Rs15,000 to each trainee.

Under this initiative, 88 youth have received on-job training in various industrial units, while 560 have been successfully placed in 85 industries.

For the merged districts, a fast-track skills development programme worth Rs685 million is underway, providing financial and technical support to 3,000 youth.

Training of 800 participants has been completed, while 520 youth have been placed in the National Logistics Cell and 1,400 in the University of Engineering and Technology.

The CM directed the concerned authorities to ensure implementation of all programmes under a comprehensive strategy and to expedite efforts to maximize benefits for the youth.