QUETTA: The Balochistan government has decided to enroll approximately 400 children of laborers in higher educational institutions nationwide on scholarships this year.
The Labour and Manpower Department has already registered 200 children of laborers, with an additional 200 registrations expected to be completed by July 15.
This decision was made during a review meeting chaired by Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti on Wednesday, where progress on the Youth Skills Development Program was also discussed.
The meeting noted that the first batch of skilled youth from Balochistan would be sent abroad by March 2025, with plans to send unskilled workers for employment opportunities in December 2025.
Attending the meeting were Adviser to the Chief Minister on Labour and Manpower Sardar Ghulam Rasool Ummrani, Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakeel Qadir Khan, Secretary Labour Welfare, Director General B-TEVTA, and other officials.
The chief minister emphasized accelerating the implementation of the Youth Skills Development Program and ensuring employment opportunities for trained youth.
He instructed the immediate operationalization of the Kuchlak Driving School, with B-TEVTA tasked to train 100 individuals in driving skills in the initial phase for potential employment in Oman.
Bugti highlighted discrepancies in the official count of laborers in Balochistan, ordering a comprehensive survey to accurately register them for welfare and social security benefits.
He expressed concerns about the underpayment of wages to laborers and vowed to prevent their exploitation while ensuring their social security rights.
Adviser Sardar Ghulam Rasool Ummrani underscored the government’s commitment to providing technical training to Balochistan’s youth and outlined plans for enhanced labor registration initiatives as per the chief minister’s vision.
