QUETTA: In a major push for youth development, Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti has announced a comprehensive plan to merge federal and provincial youth initiatives, create 60,000 training opportunities, and establish youth facilitation centers at the tehsil level across the province.
The decisions were made during a high-level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister and attended by Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan, and senior officials. The meeting resulted in a unified strategy that will see the Prime Minister’s Youth Program and the Chief Minister’s Youth Initiatives integrated for more effective implementation.
A key feature of the new plan is the establishment of tehsil-level youth facilitation centers, which will serve as one-stop shops providing employment guidance, business support, and access to interest-free loans. To ensure coordination, a dedicated unit will be set up in the Chief Secretary’s Office.
The government will launch an ambitious skilling program aimed at providing technical and digital training to approximately 60,000 young people. An Enterprise Development Program will also be initiated in seven districts to foster youth entrepreneurship in sectors like e-commerce, agriculture, and IT.
“The youth of Balochistan are the guarantors of not only their own dreams but also the bright future of the province,” stated CM Bugti, reaffirming his government’s commitment. Rana Mashhood Khan praised the provincial government’s efforts and pledged the full support of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program.
Meanwhile a major training session was held in Quetta to equip government officials with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively implement the Balochistan Right to Information (RTI) Act 2021. The workshop, organized by Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) in collaboration with the Balochistan Information Commission, brought together Public Information Officers (PIOs) from various provincial departments.
The event highlighted the critical role of transparency in fostering accountable governance. Prof. Dr. Nousheen Wasi, a member of TIP’s Board of Trustees, emphasized that transparency is a fundamental pillar for good governance. Abdul Shakoor Khan, the Information Commissioner, provided a detailed overview of the Act, outlining the legal responsibilities of public institutions. While acknowledging that the response rate to RTI applications in the province remains low, he expressed the commission’s determination to overcome initial challenges.
