Islamabad, May 27, 2025: China has opened new employment avenues for Pakistani youth, with Chinese companies offering hundreds of jobs and pledging long-term partnerships in technical and vocational training.
A job fair organized by the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), in collaboration with the China Chamber of Commerce Pakistan, witnessed an overwhelming response on Monday. More than 3,000 applications were submitted, and 500 skilled Pakistani youth were offered employment opportunities on the spot by 22 participating Chinese companies.
Speaking at the event, Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong underscored China’s commitment to strengthening Pakistan-China relations through youth empowerment. “If Pakistan provides a favorable business environment, Chinese companies will not only invest but also play a vital role in the country’s development. Employment creation is a key pillar of this partnership,” he said.
Ambassador Jiang highlighted that over 60% of Pakistan’s population consists of youth, calling it a “demographic dividend” for the country. He added that China trains nearly 10 million individuals annually through over 11,000 vocational institutions, and it stands ready to support Pakistan in human resource development, education, and science and technology.
At the event, an MoU was signed between Chinese company Thang International and a Pakistani vocational institute to provide IT and digital skills training. NAVTTC Chairperson Gulmina Bilal Ahmad confirmed that 20 vocational institutions in Karachi have partnered with Thang to develop a “smart labor” force in the IT sector.
Federal Minister for Education Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, who attended the ceremony, said that the enduring friendship between Pakistan and China is a beacon of regional stability and prosperity. “While China is an emerging global power, Pakistan is navigating a critical phase. The path forward lies in skilling our youth and opening doors to opportunity,” he said.
Minister of State for Education and Training, Wajiha Qamar, lauded the fair as a landmark initiative, declaring, “Our youth are not just job seekers — they are future makers. This job fair is not merely an event; it’s a message of confidence in Pakistani talent.” She added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif envisions a “Skilled Pakistan” as the foundation of a strong national economy.
In her welcome address, Chairperson NAVTTC Gulmina Bilal thanked the Chinese Ambassador and the China Chamber of Commerce for their active support. “Thanks to the Prime Minister’s vision and Minister Wajiha Qamar’s dedication, this job fair has materialized in record time,” she said, announcing that similar fairs would be held across the country.
President of the China Chamber of Commerce, Wang Huihua, praised NAVTTC’s role and noted that Chinese companies operating in sectors such as power, construction, and IT are now recruiting Pakistani youth in greater numbers. He called for stronger institutional collaborations to create a skilled workforce tailored for current and future job markets.
Director General NAVTTC Haider Abbas described the event as “the beginning of a new era of prosperity,” reflecting the Prime Minister’s vision for employment and economic uplift. Chinese Economic Counsellor Yang Guoyuan noted that this is the first job fair of its kind in Pakistan where Chinese companies have actively offered jobs to local youth. Thousands of young Pakistanis attended the event, submitted CVs, and explored job opportunities.
The job fair and MoUs signed are part of a broader employment framework initiated under an agreement signed in December 2024 between the Chinese government and NAVTTC. Monday’s fair marked a significant step in implementing that agreement.
