Islamabad, March 19,2026: President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sardar Tahir Mehmood, has underscored the urgent need to align Pakistan’s education system with market-driven skills to effectively address youth unemployment and support sustainable economic growth.
Speaking to a visiting youth delegation in Islamabad on Thursday, he said Pakistan’s large youth population could become a powerful engine of economic development if equipped with modern, industry-relevant skills.
He pointed out a significant gap between the skills imparted by educational institutions and the evolving needs of the business and industrial sectors. Bridging this gap, he stressed, is critical for reducing unemployment and enhancing national productivity.
Sardar Tahir Mehmood emphasized that universities, technical institutes, and vocational training centres must design curricula in close collaboration with the private sector, ensuring that graduates enter the workforce with practical and relevant expertise.
He highlighted the importance of focusing on emerging sectors such as information technology, digital services, e-commerce, engineering, and advanced manufacturing, noting that these fields offer substantial employment and export potential.
The ICCI president also called for strengthening technical and vocational education, stating that it would not only improve job prospects for young people but also boost Pakistan’s competitiveness in the global market.
He urged the government to promote public-private partnerships in skill development initiatives and expand modern training infrastructure nationwide to meet growing industry demands.
Reiterating his stance, he said empowering youth with market-oriented skills is essential for building a resilient economy and enabling Pakistan to compete effectively in the global knowledge-based landscape.
