PM's Youth Initiative: ABAD, NAVTTC launch free technical training programme
According to details, ABAD Chairman Muhammad Hassan Bakshi, in his special Independence Day message, congratulated all Pakistanis on the 78th anniversary of independence, saying that this day reminds us of the sacrifices made for freedom and the importance of unity. He expressed hope that in the coming years Pakistan would continue to grow stronger, more stable, and firmly set on the path to progress.
The ABAD chairman announced that, to mark the occasion, ABAD and NAVTTC are presenting free technical training courses to young people. A total of 500 seats have been allocated, and selected candidates will be trained in fields such as Building Electrician work, Plumbing, BIM (Building Information Modeling), and other high-demand courses. All training will be completely free of charge, with expenses borne by ABAD and NAVTTC.
He added that these courses would not only play a vital role in the country's construction industry but also open employment opportunities for Pakistani youth in the global market. Muhammad Hassan Bakshi stated that graduates of these programs will be awarded certificates and provided with job opportunities by ABAD members, enabling them to enter professional life immediately.
He further said that this is a golden opportunity for young people to acquire technical training of international standards. In today's world, there is a great need for skilled manpower in the construction sector, and this program will enable the youth to fill that gap.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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Express Tribune
an hour ago
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A terror tag and a diplomatic turn
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Express Tribune
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Rather than relying solely on base grants – or worst, mere whims – a significant portion of public funding should be tied to measurable outcomes, such as graduate employability, research commercialisation, innovation output, and teaching quality, not just enrollment figures. Faculty standards must be raised and teaching capacity enhanced. Recruitment criteria must be strengthened, regular pedagogical training institutionalised, and competitive salaries offered to attract and retain high-performing faculty. Promotion criteria should move beyond paper publication counts to also reflect classroom impact and real-world relevance. Regulator must actively enforce these standards. Academic programs should be with market needs. The Academic Council must actively incorporate market research to align courses with industry needs, without the looming fear of the regulator's sword. ORICs and BICs should be revitalised to translate curricular outcomes into commercially viable products. Curricula must prioritise critical thinking, applied learning, and digital skills. Stronger industry linkages, mandatory internships, and project-based learning are essential to make graduates job-ready and economically relevant. Local governments should be empowered to reduce regional disparities. Provincial and district administrations should be equipped with reliable data systems, timely funding, and real administrative and fiscal autonomy. This will allow them to craft localised solutions with agility, responsiveness, and accountability. Structural governance reform need to be implemented. University governance must be separated from management. Independent boards, free from political influence, should appoint vice-chancellors based on leadership merit. A national governance code, modelled after corporate standards, must enforce transparency, annual audits, and board accountability. Clear eligibility criteria for key positions, along with key performance indicators (KPI) based performance evaluation mechanisms for each member of strategic committees as well as for the vice chancellor, should be mandated. These evaluations should be conducted by an independent third party to ensure objectivity and credibility. It is imperative to prioritise equity and inclusion, especially for women. Education policy must centre on gender and geographic inclusion. This requires scholarships, safe transport options, and secure campuses for female students; digital access in rural areas; and targeted faculty recruitment for underdeveloped regions. Prioritising female education will unlock not only individual opportunity but also national productivity. Reform, not rhetoric, is the only sustainable path forward. Furqan Ali is a Peshawar-based researcher who works in the financial sector. He can be reached at alifurqan647@ Rabia Khan is an Islamabad-based writer and researcher focusing on national and international affairs All facts and information are the sole responsibility of the authors.
Express Tribune
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