Islamabad, May 6,2026: The Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training and the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry have agreed to jointly devise a comprehensive mechanism for developing a market-driven curriculum aimed at transforming Pakistan’s youth into job creators rather than job seekers.
The understanding was reached during a visit by Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Wajiha Qamar to ICCI, where she was received by the chamber’s leadership and members. Both sides decided to establish a Joint Working Group and appoint focal persons to ensure sustained coordination between academia and industry.
Addressing the gathering, Wajiha Qamar stressed the urgent need to strengthen industry-academia linkages, urging the business community to present practical proposals to align education with evolving market demands. She noted that rapid global economic transformations require collaborative policymaking to equip Pakistani youth with modern, market-relevant skills capable of generating employment and earning foreign exchange.
The minister highlighted that professional training, internationally recognized certifications, and skill development are critical to preparing youth for emerging global markets. She emphasized the need for joint efforts by public and private sectors to develop modern training frameworks and certification mechanisms.
Speaking on the occasion, ICCI President Sardar Tahir Mehmood reaffirmed the chamber’s commitment to fostering closer collaboration between academia and industry. He emphasized the importance of regular engagement, policy continuity, and awareness initiatives to support economic diversification and sustainable growth, while also calling for consistent policies to attract local and foreign investment.
Chairman ICCI Founder Group Tariq Sadiq highlighted the need for a highly skilled workforce to meet the demands of modern industries and international markets, urging educational institutions to focus on practical learning, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Former ICCI President Mian Akram Farid emphasized that Pakistan’s economic progress depends on developing a technically competent workforce aligned with global standards, calling for modernization of vocational training institutes in line with evolving industrial needs.
Former ICCI President Mian Shaukat Masud stressed the importance of technical training in areas such as laptop repair and emerging technologies to promote self-employment opportunities and strengthen the country’s digital economy.
ICCI Vice President Muhammad Irfan Chaudhry, senior members Dr. Mohammad Usman and Azaz Mohammad, Secretary General Ghulam Murtaza, Executive Committee Member Ishaq Sial, and other participants also shared their views during the interactive session.
