Pakistan has introduced the Prime Minister’s SkillTech Pakistan programme, a new initiative aimed at equipping young people with advanced digital skills and strengthening the national IT workforce. Announced at the “Building Tomorrow” event organized by the Ministry of IT & Telecom and Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), the platform represents a significant step in expanding opportunities for youth to gain expertise in high-demand areas such as AI, blockchain, cloud computing, and software development. Federal Minister for IT & Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja formally launched the programme, emphasizing its role in creating a globally competitive talent pool and enhancing industry linkages to help tech companies meet international standards.
In her remarks, the Federal Minister underscored the government’s broader vision of building a Digital Nation Pakistan. She noted that more than 3 million Pakistanis have already been trained under the DigiSkills initiative, which contributed to IT exports crossing US $691 million between July and August 2025. She described the SkillTech platform as a progression of these efforts, aligning with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s vision of positioning Pakistan as a key player in the global digital economy. By introducing six flagship programmes under SkillTech, the initiative is expected to help youth acquire globally recognized competencies while supporting companies in securing international certifications and compliance, thereby enabling stronger industry-academia collaboration.
CEO of PSEB, Abu Bakr, highlighted the programme’s target of training more than 2.1 million Pakistanis over the next three years. He explained that SkillTech is focused on making young professionals employable, competitive, and confident in global markets. The programme includes Skill Bridge, which is designed to close the gap between academia and industry by offering ICT graduates paid internships and apprenticeships. It also features Certified to Export (C2X), which will assist IT firms in obtaining crucial international certifications such as ISO and GDPR compliance to better compete in international markets. Additionally, the Skilllift 1.0 bootcamps will deliver advanced training in cutting-edge fields such as AI, cloud computing, web development, mobile applications, and software quality assurance.
The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT), which is spearheading the initiative, plays a central role in advancing Pakistan’s digital transformation. Through policy reforms, public-private partnerships, and strategic initiatives, MoITT is working to expand connectivity, foster innovation, and build a knowledge-based economy. Officials say SkillTech Pakistan complements these efforts by creating an ecosystem where students, entrepreneurs, and startups can thrive. By equipping youth with globally relevant skills and supporting the IT sector’s compliance with international standards, the programme seeks to reinforce Pakistan’s position as a competitive digital hub in the region and create a pathway for sustained growth in the tech sector.
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