Minister of State for Federal Education & Professional Training, Ms. Wajiha Qamar, met with Dr. Tahir Rasheed, CEO, Balochistan Rural Support Programme (BRSP)
Minister of State for Federal Education & Professional Training, Ms. Wajiha Qamar, met with Dr. Tahir Rasheed, CEO, Balochistan Rural Support Programme (BRSP), and Mr. Naimatullah Jan Miryani, General Manager Programmes, BRSP, to discuss expanding technical and vocational training, employment and livelihood opportunities for the youth of Balochistan. The Minister expressed particular interest in engaging girls currently receiving technical and vocational training in Islamabad in relevant activities and platforms to enhance their exposure, networking, skills and employment prospects. The meeting also discussed stronger linkages between RISE and NVTACC for certification, industry partnerships, job placement and employment opportunities for skilled youth.
Dr. Tahir Rasheed briefed the Minister on the Government of Balochistan-funded Resilience, Integration and Socio-Economic Empowerment (RISE) Programme, which supports 80,000 households across six districts—Gwadar, Kech, Panjgur, Kharan, Washuk and Awaran—through skills development, entrepreneurship, income generation and youth empowerment. The Minister appreciated the initiative and commended BRSP and the Government of Balochistan for prioritizing youth employability and sustainable livelihoods.
The participants further explored mobilizing support from international development partners, particularly the German Federal Foreign Office, for revival of the Madaris Mainstreaming Programme in Balochistan, which had previously helped bring thousands of children into formal education alongside technical and vocational skills training.
The Minister and CEO BRSP reaffirmed their commitment to developing practical institutional partnerships among the Government of Pakistan, Government of Balochistan, BRSP, NVTACC, development partners and the private sector to equip Balochistan’s youth—particularly young women—with market-relevant skills and connect them with sustainable employment and livelihood opportunities.