Skills Development Vital for Sustainable Poverty Alleviation: Imran Shah
ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Sep, 2026)
Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Syed Imran Ahmad Shah, on Friday emphasized the importance of skills development and employability-oriented initiatives to complement social protection programs and foster sustainable economic empowerment. He made these remarks during a meeting with Vice Chancellor, National Skills University (NSU) Islamabad, Prof. Dr. Saud Altaf, who visited the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety.
The meeting focused on strengthening the connection between social protection, skills development, employability, and sustainable economic empowerment for youth and vulnerable segments of society.
Imran Shah stressed that the government is dedicated to supporting underprivileged communities, stating that sustainable poverty alleviation requires creating opportunities for individuals to become economically productive and self-reliant. He highlighted the significance of education, skills development, and employability in enhancing social protection initiatives and providing long-term prospects for improved livelihoods.
Prof. Dr. Saud Altaf presented the role of NSU in equipping youth with market-driven, industry-relevant, and emerging technology skills. He suggested that skills development could serve as a powerful link between social assistance and economic independence, enabling individuals from low-income families to transition from beneficiaries to skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and active contributors to the nation's economy.
The Vice Chancellor highlighted potential areas for collaboration, including digital skills, emerging technologies, entrepreneurship, vocational training, and employment-oriented short courses for deserving youth. NSU is committed to supporting national efforts to transform Pakistan's demographic potential into a skilled and economically empowered workforce.
Both parties agreed on the need for increased institutional collaboration to align poverty alleviation with skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship, thereby creating sustainable livelihood opportunities and contributing to inclusive economic growth. The meeting reinforced the shared goal of building a more skilled, empowered, and self-reliant Pakistan.