Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Calls on Ambassador of Portugal
Islamabad :- Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) called on the Manuel Frederico Pinheiro da Silva Ambassador of Portugal to Pakistan during a meeting held at the Embassy of Portugal.
The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the areas of productive employment and overseas employment, with particular emphasis on youth empowerment and labour mobility. Both sides exchanged views on expanding collaboration to create sustainable employment opportunities for young people and to facilitate safe, legal, and mutually beneficial labour mobility frameworks.
During the meeting, Chairman emphasize the importance Government attaches to its relations with Portugal, both in the bilateral context and within the broader framework of the European Union. The two sides underscored their shared commitment to working together at multilateral fora to promote global peace, prosperity, and stability.
The meeting recalled that Pakistan and Portugal established diplomatic relations on 7 November 1949 and have enjoyed cordial and friendly relations over the past 75 years. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the steady progress in bilateral engagement and agreed to further strengthen cooperation across diverse sectors.
On trade and investment, it was noted that bilateral trade continues on an upward trajectory and reached USD 221 million in 2024. While appreciating this growth, both sides acknowledged the considerable potential for further expansion by exploring new avenues of cooperation. Particular emphasis was placed on collaboration in the information technology sector, where Pakistani and Portuguese companies can mutually benefit. Pakistan highlighted its large and youthful population of 241 million, with around 60 percent under the age of 30, and a growing pool of skilled IT professionals, including a significant participation of women.
Labour mobility and human resources were identified as priority areas for enhanced cooperation. The Chairman PMYP highlighted Pakistan’s vast pool of skilled and semi-skilled human resources and underscored the importance of concluding an Agreement on Labour Mobility Partnership to provide a legal and institutional framework for structured cooperation. Reference was made to the draft agreement proposed by Pakistan in June 2022, with an expression of hope for an early response from the Portuguese side.
The Chairman emphasized the Government’s strong focus on productive employment for youth through the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme. Key initiatives highlighted included the Prime Minister’s Youth Skill Programme, Youth Laptop Scheme, Youth Business, Agriculture and Loan Scheme, National Innovation Award, National Volunteer Corps, Digital Youth Hub, Youth Talent Hunt and Sports League, and the Green Youth Movement. The National Employment Policy was highlighted as a milestone initiative aimed at creating sustainable jobs, empowering youth and women, and aligning skills with market demands, with a target to raise female labour force participation to 35 percent.
Overseas employment was discussed as an important avenue for Pakistani youth to gain international exposure, higher incomes, and enhanced skills. Both sides explored opportunities for cooperation to facilitate safe, legal, and mutually beneficial overseas employment for Pakistani youth, while emphasizing the need for joint efforts to protect the rights and welfare of Pakistani workers abroad.
The growing Pakistani community in Portugal was also noted as a valuable bridge for strengthening people-to-people relations. According to official Portuguese data, approximately 54,318 Pakistani citizens or persons of Pakistani origin currently reside in Portugal.
Both sides emphasized their commitment to further deepen bilateral relations and continue constructive engagement in the years ahead.
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
