Alvi urges investment in human resources

President asks GB govt to create opportunities for youth in IT sector

ISLAMABAD:

President Dr Arif Alvi Monday said both human and natural resources were equally essential for the socio-economic prosperity of a country.

The president was addressing an event titled “GB Dream Road Show” which was organised by the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) government here in the federal capital to showcase the talent of primary school students from GB.

More than 70 students from the mountainous region participated in the event, demonstrating their skills and creativity through models such as a smart dustbin, laser security alarm system, hologram projector, clip switch model, magnetic car, and hybrid power plant.

Speaking on the occasion, president Arif Alvi said the right use of human intellect, consistency in policies, avoiding confusion, and actively cooperating with each other would enable the country to tread the path of development.

The president remarked that he has always represented the region as its ambassador to promote tourism.

“Tourists should be facilitated in the area and the biggest charm of tourism for a tourist is easy and shortest possible access to the destination,” he added.

President Alvi said GB was rich in natural resources like minerals, gems, and fruits. He said using scientific methods for gem cutting, stakeholders can exploit the untapped resources.

Alvi also said skills required for such work could be learned in a very short period of time.

Highlighting the importance of IT skills for the youth of GB, the president said people with IT skills could earn their livelihood by offering their services in other countries while living in Pakistan through online platforms.

He said that the IT sector could also provide employment opportunities for women, allowing them to work from their homes.

“Some 2.4 million people from different academic backgrounds have benefitted from the Prime Minister’s Digital Skills programme and such programmes could be replicated to provide marketable digital skills to the youth.

He said that a student hailing from GB, who got his training from Digiskills programme was earning almost $100,000 per annum.

President Alvi said that there were enormous opportunities for GB in the field of agriculture.

“GB could not only fulfill its own food requirements but it has the potential to export to the world like the Netherlands which was 19 times smaller than Pakistan but the second-largest food producer in the world.”

Alvi went on to say that there was an abundance of ideas but it was high time now to translate these ideas into practical steps and execute them.

“Development is not possible without community participation and GB’s people should be actively engaged in promoting development in the area.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 31^st, 2023.