Punjab chief minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif said that that the youth going abroad for employment would not merely be workers but ambassadors of Pakistan. Speaking at a ceremony held in Lahore in honour of 135 youth departing for Saudi Arabia under the Parwaaz card initiative, CM said that providing quality vocational training to the youth of Punjab is her dream, which is being transformed into reality by Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) under the supervision of Skills Development and Entrepreneurship Department (SD&ED), Punjab Taskforce on Skill Development Chairman Adnan Afzal Chattha, and Secretary SD&ED Nadir Chattha. The ceremony was attended by senior officials from SD&ED and PSDF including CEO PSDF Ahmed Khan, recruitment partners, representatives of the Bank of Punjab (BOP), overseas employment promoters and the Parwaaz card beneficiaries. Interacting with the participants, Maryam Nawaz Shaif inquired about their experience with the Parwaaz Card Scheme and told them, “When you travel abroad under this program you will represent Pakistan. The country that has empowered you deserves to be portrayed positively in front of the world.” She said her vision extends beyond Punjab and that she wants to ensure the provision of vocational training opportunities to young people across all provinces where there is a need for skills development, enabling them to access better employment opportunities in global markets. Addressing the selected candidates, the CM described them as responsible representatives of the country. “I want to see you off as a mother would bid farewell to her children. Just as you feel safe in Pakistan, I hope you remain safe in the countries where you have secured jobs and continue to make your country proud,” she said. During the ceremony, Chairman of the Punjab Taskforce on Skill Development Adnan Afzal Chattha briefed the CM that 135 young people had secured placements in Saudi Arabia under the Parwaaz card program. The placements cover various sectors, including hospitality, healthcare, construction and other industries. He said that, in line with CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision, the Skills Development and Entrepreneurship Department (SD&ED) is actively equipping Punjab’s youth with market-driven vocational and professional skills to help them secure dignified employment opportunities both within Pakistan and abroad. The first batch comprises 105 candidates selected for jobs in the hospitality sector, particularly in Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs), and 30 candidates who have secured employment in the construction sector. Their departures to Saudi Arabia will begin from June 28. Implemented by the Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) under the Skills Development and Entrepreneurship Department (SD&ED), the Parwaaz card scheme provides beneficiaries with interest-free pre-departure financing and workplace-readiness training to facilitate safe, legal and dignified overseas employment for the youth of Punjab. At the end of ceremony, CM Maryam Nawaz distributed Parwaaz cards and interest-free loan cheques among the departing beneficiaries. The send-off ceremony is a part of the Parwaaz card scheme for international employment, launched by the Punjab government to expand overseas employment opportunities and boost remittance inflows. Under the program, 45,000 deserving individuals are being provided with interest-free loans amounting to Rs6.867 billion. Individual financing ranges from Rs300,000 to Rs1 million and is intended to cover upfront expenses associated with overseas employment, including visas, air tickets, medical examinations, protectorate fees and other travel-related costs.
