Unemployment has long been one of Pakistan’s most pressing socio-economic challenges, hitting the youth hardest. In Punjab the country’s most populous province the government has recently rolled out a range of measures aimed at creating jobs, building skills, and fostering entrepreneurship. While no single policy can eradicate unemployment overnight, the scale and diversity of these initiatives mark a notable shift in the provincial approach.
A central pillar of Punjab’s strategy is skills development. Under the Chief Minister’s Skilled Punjab Initiative, computers are being distributed to women in rural areas, enabling them to participate in the digital economy. The Skills on Wheels programme and dedicated call centre training courses are preparing thousands of young people for high-demand sectors. The e-Rozgaar programme complements these efforts by equipping graduates with freelancing, programming, and digital marketing skills, allowing them to tap into global markets.
The second pillar is financial support for entrepreneurship. Through schemes such as the Asaan Karobar Card and the Punjab Rozgar Scheme, interest-free loans ranging from small seed capital to significant business investments are being offered. These initiatives aim to empower youth and first-time entrepreneurs who traditionally struggle to access commercial banking channels.
The government has also placed a strong emphasis on women’s economic empowerment. Recruitment quotas for women in the Punjab Public Service Commission have been increased, female police officers are being inducted in greater numbers, and targeted vocational training programmes in fields such as fashion design, IT, and small business management are opening up fresh income streams for women.
Some initiatives directly generate employment. The Suthra Punjab cleanliness programme, for instance, has created more than 100,000 jobs in waste management and sanitation — improving public health while addressing unemployment. Paid internships, including climate-related programmes offering stipends of up to Rs 60,000, are helping young graduates gain work experience.
Read more: Maryam Nawaz Distributes Rs74 Billion Interest-Free Housing Loans in Punjab
While the true impact of these policies will depend on sustained political commitment, transparency, and expansion to underserved districts, the framework is promising. Punjab’s leadership is signalling that job creation is not a one-track effort but a coordinated push combining skill-building, business facilitation, and direct employment.
If maintained and scaled, this multi-pronged approach could not only reduce unemployment but also inject fresh vitality into the province’s economy — offering a model for the rest of Pakistan.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.