The Ministry of IT & Telecom, in collaboration with Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB), has launched Prime Minister’s SkillTech Pakistan at its “Building Tomorrow” event, marking a major step in digital skills development and capacity building. The program has been designed to provide opportunities and empower young Pakistanis to excel in globally recognized technology domains such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and other advanced fields, aligning with national efforts to create a future-ready workforce.
Announcing the initiative, Federal Minister for IT & Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja said the platform will introduce six flagship programs aimed at equipping Pakistan’s youth with globally competitive skills. She explained that SkillTech Pakistan also supports tech companies in achieving international compliance by strengthening industry linkages. The minister emphasized that the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to building a skilled workforce and positioning the country as a leading global technology destination. She also acknowledged Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s vision of a Digital Nation Pakistan, noting that over 3 million Pakistanis have already been trained through DigiSkills, contributing to record IT exports of $691 million between July and August 2025. According to her, SkillTech Pakistan takes the country closer to realizing that vision by opening up new opportunities for employment and innovation.
PSEB CEO Abu Bakr said the Prime Minister’s SkillTech Pakistan program is focused on making the country’s youth employable, competitive, and confident in the international market. He shared that PSEB aims to train more than 2.1 million Pakistanis within the next three years through this platform. This, he added, is part of a roadmap to position Pakistan as a digital hub in the region by empowering students and enabling the IT industry to meet global standards. Abu Bakr described SkillTech Pakistan as a tool for transforming the nation’s human capital into a strong resource for the global digital economy.
SkillTech Pakistan features several flagship initiatives that directly address critical needs in the technology ecosystem. One of these, Skill Bridge, will connect ICT graduates with employers through paid internships and apprenticeships, helping to bridge the gap between academia and industry. Certified to Export (C2X) will support IT firms in securing international certifications such as ISO and GDPR compliance to enhance their competitiveness in global markets. Another key component, Skilllift 1.0 bootcamps, will offer advanced training in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, web development, mobile applications, and software quality assurance to equip participants with practical, market-ready expertise. These programs collectively aim to provide a strong foundation for Pakistan’s young professionals to succeed in the evolving global technology landscape.
Through its launch, Prime Minister’s SkillTech Pakistan reflects a coordinated effort by the Ministry of IT & Telecom and PSEB to build a workforce capable of driving innovation and growth within the national IT industry. The initiative is expected to strengthen industry-academia collaboration, help companies achieve global compliance, and create a steady pipeline of skilled professionals who can contribute to both local and international markets.
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