Current Affairs

24pc educated, 16pc uneducated youth unemployed in Pakistan: Senate Committee told

80pc of students are enrolling themselves because of unemployment and this number doesn’t come in any count: PIDE

Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives was informed on Monday that 24 per cent graduates and 16 per cent uneducated people are unemployed in Pakistan.

Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE) officials briefed the Committee in a meeting held under the Chairmanship of Senator Saleem Mandviwalla at the Parliament House.

The PIDE officials commented that 16 percent of the uneducated population is unemployed while amongst the educated population 24 per cent of graduates are jobless; out of which 40 per cent are female graduates.

A comprehensive briefing on PIDE roles, functions and performance was also given to the Committee.  It is to mention here that these figures are in contrast to the figures given by the government.

The officials of PIDE further elaborated that there are also hidden numbers such as those who only take admission in M.Phil and PhD Programs because they do not have employment opportunities.

“80% of students are enrolling themselves because of unemployment and this number doesn’t come in any count,” the meeting was informed.

 “Our aim is to provide employment opportunities to 120 million youth of the country,” the officials added.

The Chairman Committee sought a report on the factual statistics regarding the number of unemployed youth.

The PIDE in their research has proposed laws for Hawkers and to also grant them licenses which will meet 20 to 30 million employment opportunities in the country.

The PIDE officials also debated on the criteria through which universities are registered in Pakistan.

It was informed that unlike world- wide practice of enlisting of universities through chatters, Pakistan approves universities through a Bill introduced by the HEC which has lacunas such as a university can only be approved if it has 13 acre land, which does not justify a requirement of establishing a university at international level.

The PIDE officials apprised the committee that, in Islamabad, there are 40 training institutes and 40 universities.

The PIDE officials during their briefing informed the committee that the total budget for the PIDE is Rs300 million; out of which more than 90 per cent goes into the salaries of the employees.

The Chairman Committee sought a report on the so far implementation of the research being conducted by PIDE along with its outcome.

The chairman committee also sought proposed reform of the PIDE for a way forward, to be discussed in the next meeting.

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