Punjab Government Launches ‘Parwaz Card’ to Empower Youth with Interest-Free Funding

Punjab Government Launches ‘Parwaz Card’ to Empower Youth with Interest-Free Funding

In a landmark move aimed at empowering the province's young population , Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz officially launched the ‘Parwaz Card’ programme on Wednesday. This pioneering initiative offers skilled youth interest-free loans of up to Rs300,000, marking a significant step in the government's strategy to combat unemployment and foster economic independence.

A Holistic Push for Youth Development

The launch ceremony, held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, also saw the introduction of two complementary initiatives: the “Creative Hand, Career Path” project and the “Skill Development Portal”. Together, these programs form a comprehensive ecosystem designed to enhance vocational training, streamline job placement, and provide financial support to young Pakistanis seeking to establish careers both domestically and internationally.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, addressing a gathering of officials, students, and beneficiaries, framed the initiative as a maternal duty of the state. “The state is like a mother. Every obstacle in the way of our children should be removed. Every penny from Punjab’s treasury should be invested in youth,” she stated, underscoring the government's commitment to prioritizing youth as a national asset.

Bridging Skills with Opportunity

The ‘Parwaz Card’ is strategically designed to connect skilled graduates with employment opportunities in high-demand sectors . These include e-commerce, information technology, construction, and technical trades such as welding, electrical wiring, and tile fixing . A key feature of the program is its direct support mechanism, which aims to eliminate the reliance on costly agents and middlemen, thereby ensuring that the full financial benefit reaches the intended beneficiaries.

“Pakistan’s workforce is highly skilled. Our goal is to ensure youth earn respectable incomes locally and abroad. Through the Parwaz Card, every skilled youth going overseas will receive up to 300,000 rupees in support ,” the Chief Minister explained.

Building on a Foundation of Technical Training

The launch built upon Punjab’s existing achievements in technical education. Maryam Nawaz highlighted that 250,000 youth have already completed technical courses across the province, with over 114,000 securing employment within Pakistan and an additional 33,000 finding jobs abroad .

During the ceremony, the Chief Minister personally interacted with 90 students who had completed vocational training in various trades, including electricians and imams (prayer leaders), commending their newly acquired expertise. In a particularly poignant moment, she also met with transgender students enrolled in the programs, who expressed gratitude for the inclusive policies creating opportunities for marginalized communities.

Embracing the Future: AI and Digital Upskilling

Looking towards the future economic landscape, Maryam Nawaz emphasized the critical role of technology and artificial intelligence (AI). She announced that AI education will be made mandatory in schools, alongside initiatives to provide scholarships, laptops, and Chromebooks to students. This digital push is intended to prepare Punjab’s youth for a competitive global market.

“We will fully monitor and support our youth to ensure their training directly translates into sustainable employment and entrepreneurship opportunities,” she added, outlining a framework for post-training follow-up and mentorship.

A Call for Positive Contribution

Concluding her address, the Chief Minister issued a resonant call to the young citizens of Pakistan, urging them to channel their energies into nation-building. She encouraged youth to avoid anti-state activities and instead focus on leveraging their skills for personal growth and national development.

Expected Impact and SEO Keywords

The ‘Parwaz Card’ programme is expected to have a multi-faceted impact on Punjab’s socio-economic fabric. Key areas of influence include:

• Youth Empowerment in Punjab: Direct financial support for skilled individuals.

• Interest-Free Loans Pakistan: Providing Sharia-compliant, accessible capital.

• Skill Development Programs: Enhancing employability through targeted training.

• Vocational Training Pakistan: Strengthening the pipeline for technical trades.

• Job Creation Initiatives: Linking graduates with local and international markets.

• Women and Transgender Inclusion: Promoting economic participation of all communities.

• Artificial Intelligence Education Pakistan: Future-proofing the workforce.

Looking Ahead

The rollout of the Parwaz Card, along with the integrated Skill Development Portal and Creative Hand project, represents a coordinated policy effort by the Punjab government under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz. By addressing the financial, educational, and placement hurdles faced by youth simultaneously, the initiative aims to unlock the latent potential of Punjab’s demographic dividend.

Stakeholders and economic observers will be closely monitoring the implementation and uptake of these programs, which are poised to set a benchmark for youth-centric development projects across Pakistan. Success in this endeavor could significantly alter unemployment statistics and drive inclusive economic growth in the country’s most populous province.