Quetta: The Balochistan government is undertaking major initiatives to economically empower youth and promote sustainable development in underdeveloped districts through the “RISE” programme, Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan said on Thursday.
He was presiding over a high-level meeting held to review progress on the programme, which aims to provide employment opportunities, technical skills and financial support to young people across the province.
Senior officials of relevant departments and representatives associated with the programme attended the meeting.
Chief Secretary said the initiative would help reduce unemployment and create new opportunities for youth, particularly in remote and backward districts of Balochistan.
He said thousands of young people in districts including Panjgur, Kharan, Washuk, Gwadar, Awaran and Turbat would be provided vocational and technical training, support for small businesses and financial assistance under the programme.
The meeting was informed that several billion rupees had been allocated for the project, which officials described as one of the largest youth-focused investments in the province.
Participants were told that 11 cultural and thematic seminars had been organised at district level to promote peace, social harmony and positive engagement among youth, with 3,946 people participating, including 34 per cent women.
Officials said 215 grants had also been provided to strengthen Community-Based Organisations and Local Support Organisations under the peace and social cohesion component of the programme.
The meeting was further informed that 550 exposure and study tours had been arranged for young people, while 34 events related to awareness, sports and social harmony had been organised at district, divisional and provincial levels.
Officials said that during the next fiscal year, the Enterprise Development Programme would provide training and income-generating grants to youth, while 55 small and medium enterprises would receive financial assistance ranging from Rs5 million to Rs20 million.
The meeting was also told that accounts of 2,500 beneficiaries under technical, vocational and enterprise development schemes had already been processed.
Chief Secretary reiterated the government’s commitment to bringing the youth of Balochistan into the mainstream of national development and ensuring long-term economic stability in the province.
