Youth employability is at the heart of the economic reform program: FinMin

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said on Wednesday that improving employability, especially among the youth, would remain at the heart of the government’s economic transformation agenda, as he met a World Bank delegation to discuss skills development, healthcare, education and technology-driven public services.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Finance, the minister spoke with a delegation led by World Bank Vice President for Human Development Mamta Murthi on Pakistan’s priorities in human capital development, workforce preparation and social sector reforms.

Aurangzeb said Pakistan has made significant progress in restoring macroeconomic stability and is increasingly focusing on improving social and human development outcomes through investments in health, education, skills development and social protection.

Describing Pakistan’s large youth population as both a major opportunity and a key policy priority, he highlighted the need to improve human capital indicators, increase labor market participation and equip young people with skills relevant to changing labor market demands.

The Finance Minister highlighted the importance of workforce upskilling and reskilling to meet emerging economic demands, improve job readiness and create pathways to higher value-added jobs. He said sustainable economic growth and competitiveness would require continued investment in human resources, alongside reforms to boost productivity, improve service delivery and create jobs.

Aurangzeb also stressed the need to maintain a strong focus on measurable results and effective implementation under the World Bank’s long-term country partnership framework for Pakistan.

The meeting reviewed key elements of Pakistan’s human development agenda, including maternal and child health, nutrition, immunization, early childhood development, education outcomes and population challenges.

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Murthi said long-term development progress would depend on improving critical human capital indicators, particularly child nutrition, reducing stunting, basic learning and access to quality health care and education.

She said the World Bank’s engagement in Pakistan aims to support measurable results and strengthen service delivery systems to ensure that essential interventions effectively reach mothers and children across the country.

The two sides also discussed strengthening primary health care systems, expanding access to essential services for mothers and children, and leveraging artificial intelligence and digital technologies in health care, education and workforce development.

Aurangzeb said Pakistan needs to prepare its workforce for a rapidly changing global economy, while the World Bank delegation shared its international experiences in technology service delivery, healthcare financing and private sector participation.

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Discussions also focused on workforce development, technical and vocational training and employment-oriented skills programs. Participants highlighted the importance of stronger links with industry, greater private sector participation in training initiatives and better alignment of skills programs with labor market needs.

The meeting also explored opportunities for broader collaboration between the government, the World Bank Group and the private sector to advance Pakistan’s human capital goals.

Murthi invited Pakistan to participate in a global forum on universal health coverage, planned in Japan later this year and jointly supported by the Japanese government, the World Bank Group and the World Health Organization.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation in the areas of health, education, social protection, workforce development and technological service delivery.