LAHORE:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the relevant authorities on Sunday to ensure the swift implementation of information technology (IT) training projects, aiming to maximise the accessibility of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Training Portal across the country.
Chairing a meeting to review the initiative of providing ICT training to 300,000 Pakistani youth, Shehbaz emphasized that the project should be extended to all provinces, as well as to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), ensuring that young people nationwide benefit from the programme.
Earlier this year, the ministry of information technology and telecom, in collaboration with Huawei Technologies Pakistan, launched the ICT Training Portal to enhance IT expertise among Pakistan’s youth.
The three-year initiative aims to provide recent graduates with hands-on experience, bridging the gap between academia and the rapidly evolving IT industry. The portal offers training modules on cutting-edge ICT trends.
Sunday’s meeting was attended by a delegation from Huawei Technologies, where various initiatives aimed at imparting digital skills to youth were discussed. The progress of agreements signed with Huawei Technologies in China last year was also reviewed.
Stressing the critical role of youth in driving the digital revolution and advancing technology in the country, Prime Minister Shehbaz reaffirmed the government’s commitment to equip the young individuals with modern skills.
“The government is providing all possible support to ensure youth are prepared for the evolving digital landscape,” Shehbaz said. He hoped that Huawei’s ICT training programme would not only enhance IT exports, but also create employment opportunities for the young professionals.
Under this initiative, young individuals will receive specialised training in artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, cloud computing, and other cutting-edge technologies. The Representatives of Huawei reaffirmed their commitment to launching an advanced training programme in Pakistan.
The prime minister was informed that 300,000 Pakistani youth would receive online training as part of the initiative. Officials stated that the programme focused on upskilling students, trainers, and the ICT professionals. So far, Huawei Technologies had trained 20,315 students under the initiative, they added.
As a global leader in the ICT, Huawei operates its second-largest research and development base in Pakistan after China. This collaboration is expected to strengthen Pakistan’s ICT infrastructure and empower its youth to thrive in the global digital economy.
Last week, during the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona 2025, Huawei launched its 5G-A intelligent core network solutions and featured 83 global showcases across 71 key industrial scenarios, demonstrating cutting-edge applications in telecommunications.
Huawei’s pioneering contributions were commended by the OIC-COMSTECH – one of the four standing committees of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation that is dedicated to the promotion and cooperation of science and technology.
“Huawei’s focus on innovation, sustainability, and inclusiveness aligns closely with our mission to promote scientific and technological cooperation among OIC member states,” OIC-COMSTECH Coordinator General Prof Dr Iqbal Choudhary said during an interaction with tech leaders at the MWC.
“Their pioneering advancements in 5G technology and commitment to fostering global cooperation have set new industry benchmarks, Choudhary said. “On behalf of the OIC-COMSTECH, I am honoured to recognise Huawei’s outstanding contributions to MWC Barcelona 2025.”
The OIC-COMSTECH and Huawei have been actively collaborating on various initiatives, including capacity-building programmes, digital transformation projects, and research partnerships aimed at enhancing technological expertise across the OIC member states.
In this regard, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Huawei to strengthen Pakistan’s cybersecurity framework, enhance technological capabilities, and drive innovation within the telecommunications sector.
(WITH INPUT FROM APP)
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