From Policy to Possibility: Can Pakistan’s Youth Employment Vision Deliver?

byUmer Ahad •August 2, 2025•
Global & National Affairs
Magazine cover for HamQadam, August 2025, titled "Dreams Beneath The Rubble: A Student's Resistance in Gaza." It features a sad boy with a backpack sitting among grave markers in a destroyed city.

Introduction

For millions of Pakistani students and young graduates, the question is no longer what to study, but what comes next. Degrees pile up, aspirations grow, yet employment opportunities often lag behind. In this context, the government’s launch of Pakistan’s first National Youth Employment Policy (NYEP) 2025 arrives as a moment of cautious hope. Announced at Aiwan-e-Iqbal, Lahore, the policy promises large-scale job creation, both domestically and abroad, aiming to transform Pakistan’s youth bulge into an economic strength rather than a social liability.

For a country where over 60% of the population is under 30, employment is not merely an economic concern—it is a question of dignity, stability, and direction. From an Islamic perspective, meaningful work is closely tied to self-respect (izzat), social responsibility, and collective progress. As Muslim students striving for purpose beyond survival, policies like NYEP demand not blind optimism, but informed engagement. The real question is: can this policy bridge the gap between promise and practice, and how should students position themselves within it?

Background & Context

Youth unemployment has long been a structural challenge in Pakistan. Despite increasing enrollment in universities and colleges, the economy has struggled to absorb skilled graduates. At the same time, global labor markets—especially in the Gulf and parts of Europe—continue to seek skilled workers, creating both opportunity and brain-drain concerns.

The NYEP 2025 is Pakistan’s first attempt at a comprehensive, centralized youth employment framework. According to PMYP Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, the policy aims to facilitate 1.8 million overseas job opportunities, while strengthening domestic employment through district-level employment exchanges, entrepreneurship support, green jobs, and vocational training. Countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the US, and Belarus have already shown willingness to absorb skilled Pakistani labor.

Unlike previous fragmented initiatives, NYEP claims inclusivity—covering students, graduates, out-of-school youth, and prioritizing women’s participation by 2029. If implemented effectively, it could redefine the relationship between education, skills, and employment in Pakistan.

Current Challenges for Students and Society

Despite its promise, the policy emerges in a challenging environment. Pakistani students face a persistent skills mismatch, where academic knowledge does not align with market demands. Many graduates lack practical exposure, language proficiency, and professional soft skills required both locally and internationally.

There is also a trust deficit. Past policies have often failed at the implementation stage due to bureaucracy, political discontinuity, or lack of monitoring. Moreover, overseas employment opportunities, while attractive, raise concerns about exploitation, inadequate preparation, and unequal access—especially for students from rural or underprivileged backgrounds.

For female students, structural barriers remain: cultural constraints, safety concerns, and limited access to skill-building platforms. Without intentional safeguards, policy promises risk becoming urban-elite opportunities rather than national solutions.

Islamic Perspective on Work and Youth Empowerment

Islam places profound emphasis on productive labor and skill acquisition. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “No one has ever eaten a better meal than that which he has earned by working with his own hands” (Bukhari). Work in Islam is not merely economic—it is moral, social, and spiritual.

From the Seerah ﷺ, we learn that dignity comes from contribution, not dependency. The early Muslim community emphasized skills, trade, and responsibility, ensuring that youth were not idle but purpose-driven. Policies like NYEP resonate with the Islamic ideal of empowering individuals to become contributors to society, rather than burdens upon it.

However, Islam also stresses justice and accountability. Employment initiatives must ensure transparency, fair access, and protection from exploitation—especially for overseas workers. Youth empowerment without ethical grounding risks creating economic growth devoid of moral substance.

Critical Analysis: Hope, Hype, or Turning Point?

The NYEP’s strength lies in its integrated approach—combining employment exchanges, skills training, entrepreneurship, and green jobs. The inclusion of digital and doorstep services signals awareness of access issues, while bi-monthly reviews chaired by the prime minister suggest political seriousness.

Yet, policies do not succeed by design alone. The real test will be execution:

  • Will employment exchanges be functional or symbolic?
  • Will training programs meet international standards?
  • Will women and marginalized youth truly benefit?

Students must also challenge the misconception that government policy alone guarantees employment. NYEP can open doors, but walking through them requires preparedness, adaptability, and initiative. Youth empowerment is a shared responsibility—between the state and the students themselves.

Practical Takeaways for Students

  • Skill Up Strategically: Focus on market-relevant skills—languages, IT, vocational and soft skills.
  • Stay Informed: Track official NYEP platforms and district employment exchanges.
  • Prepare for Global Markets: Understand work ethics, contracts, and cultural expectations abroad.
  • Think Beyond Jobs: Explore entrepreneurship and green economy opportunities.
  • Act Ethically: Seek lawful, dignified work aligned with Islamic values.
  • Engage Collectively: Student bodies and organizations should monitor and advocate for fair implementation.

Conclusion

The National Youth Employment Policy 2025 is more than a government announcement—it is a test of Pakistan’s commitment to its future. For students, it offers a window of opportunity, not a guarantee. From an Islamic and ethical standpoint, meaningful employment is a pathway to dignity, service, and societal reform.

If approached with preparedness, critical awareness, and moral grounding, this policy can help transform Pakistan’s youth from a statistic into a driving force for national renewal. The responsibility now lies not only with policymakers, but with students themselves—to rise, skill up, and lead with purpose.