Ijaz Kakakhel
A legislative body of Upper House of parliament on Wednesday stressed a need for provision of training programs in medical, nursing, midwifery and other potential sectors for unemployment youth.
These views were expressed during a meeting of the Sub-Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development, which was chaired by Senator Engr.
Rukhsana Zuberi. Main purpose of the meeting was to discuss the problems confronting Overseas Pakistani workers in different countries.
Senator Engr. Rukhsana Zuberi remarked that Pakistan encompasses 60% unemployed youth, and there is a dire need to provide employment opportunities to this youth. She stated that smart and short training programs in medical, nursing, midwifery, and other potential sectors will serve as a guiding light in relinquishing the overgrowing unemployment rate.
ED PIMS apprised the Committee that a suitable portion of seats could be reserved for children of Overseas Pakistanis, following the footsteps of private medical colleges. Moreover, PIMS officials requested a few days for consideration of possible options for the resolution of the matter.
The Convener Committee highlighted the growing trend of beggary in Saudi Arabia, conducted by individuals visiting for Umrah purposes. Interior Ministry officials apprised that the ministry has offloaded 44000 individuals in the past 2.5 years.
However, ministry of foreign affairs officials suggested that checks and balances should be kept in place for passport issuance, and the ministry should increase the screening of individuals before issuance of passports.
Moreover, Officials of the Overseas Pakistanis ministry suggested that NADRA should block the CNIC of individuals involved in begging, as it will help in breaking the rackets of begging. Senator Engr.
Rukhsana Zuberi directed the Interior Ministry to take necessary actions against the growing beggary in Middle Eastern countries.
Additionally, Senator Engr. Rukhsana Zuberi recommended that an online portal providing real-time details of job opportunities available in several countries with details of skills required for the job and necessary details of the institutions specialized in such training should be established. However, the Overseas Ministry suggested that the IT ministry and PITB should be taken on board for this purpose.
In attendance were Senior officials of Ministry of Health Services Regulation and Coordination,Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resources Development.
