Maryam Nawaz Launches Parwaz Card, Rah-e-Rozgar and Skill Development Portal in Punjab

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday launched the Parwaz Card, Rah-e-Rozgar, and the Skill Development Portal, aimed at empowering youth through skills training and employment opportunities.

Addressing the launch ceremony, Maryam Nawaz said providing relief and facilities to the public is the state’s responsibility. She emphasized that if a government thinks like a mother, it can turn youth into its greatest strength. “We are not only making young people skilled but also providing them with employment,” she said.

She stressed her desire to ensure that young people who are unable to pursue higher education are not left behind. “I do not want youth to be taunted for living on handouts. We are taking comprehensive measures to make them skilled and educated,” she added.

The chief minister said that under the Chief Minister Skill Development Program, 200,000 youth have received training, while 1,000 trainees have been provided employment in the garments sector. She noted that young people are being trained in various trades, including tile fixing, welding, and electrical wiring.

Highlighting the potential of Pakistani youth, Maryam Nawaz said Pakistanis perform some of the most challenging jobs in Arab countries, proving their talent and capability worldwide. She added that there is a growing global demand for skilled manpower, and urged youth to acquire skills instead of remaining idle at home.

She announced that 50,000 skilled youth will be issued the Parwaz Card, ensuring transparency in financial disbursement. Through the Parwaz Card, interest-free loans of up to Rs 300,000 will be provided.

Concluding her address, the Punjab chief minister said she expects only one thing from the youth of Pakistan: unity when it comes to national interest. “Your hands should hold laptops, not petrol bombs. You must become ambassadors of Pakistan at home and abroad. If anyone tells you to set things on fire, say ‘no’—my country is my mother, and no one can betray their mother,” she said.