The Punjab Parwaz Card Programme has been launched by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to provide direct financial relief and structured employment support to skilled youth across the province. The initiative aims to help technically trained young people secure dignified work, especially those seeking overseas employment, while protecting them from exploitation by illegal agents.
Speaking at a ceremony in Lahore with graduates from technical and vocational institutes, the chief minister said the provincial government is shifting its youth policy from limited scholarships to practical employment solutions. She shared that around 250,000 young people have completed technical training programmes so far, while more than 114,000 have already found jobs. Of these, about 97,000 secured employment within Pakistan, while nearly 33,000 are now working abroad.
Under the Punjab Parwaz Card Programme, skilled youth can receive interest-free financial assistance of up to Rs300,000. The funds are designed to cover costs linked to overseas job placement, documentation, and initial settlement, ensuring workers are not forced to rely on unregulated middlemen.
Financial Support and Safer Overseas Employment
Maryam Nawaz said government teams have been sent to Gulf countries to explore reliable job markets and build formal employment channels for Pakistani workers. She stressed that skilled workers should travel abroad through transparent systems that safeguard their rights and earnings.
The chief minister highlighted that vocational training in fields such as electrical work, welding, tile fixing, IT services, and e-commerce is already producing results. Some trained workers, she noted, are earning up to $500 per month through remote or freelance work after completing certified courses.
During the event, she met 90 students who had completed their training and discussed their professional journeys. She also interacted with transgender students enrolled in technical programmes and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to inclusion, dignity, and equal economic opportunity.
Expanding Skills and Market Access
Alongside the Parwaz Card, the Punjab government has introduced three additional initiatives — Creative Hands, Rah-e-Rozgar, and a dedicated Skill Development Portal. These platforms aim to connect trained youth with employers, provide updated market data, and align training with local and international demand.
Maryam Nawaz stated that more than 200,000 young people across Punjab have already benefited from improved skills access and job pathways. She added that every rupee invested in youth development strengthens the province’s economy and reduces unemployment in a sustainable way.
The programme is being positioned as a long-term strategy to turn technical skills into stable income, both at home and abroad, while restoring confidence in government-led employment initiatives.
