Chairman Senate Senator Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani called for a paradigm shift in Pakistan's educational landscape, urging the younger generation to prioritize practical expertise alongside traditional academic degrees. He delivered these remarks while addressing the annual convocation of the College of Tourism and Hotel Management (COTHM) South Punjab in Multan on Saturday, June 20, 2026, celebrating the success of the region's skilled graduates.
Addressing the graduating class, their parents, and faculty, Gilani emphasized that modern domestic and international job markets exclusively favor individuals equipped with market-driven competencies. He commended the graduates for their perseverance, noting that their specialized training positions them perfectly to elevate Pakistan's presence on the global economic stage.
Unlocking Pakistan's Multi-Billion Dollar Tourism Potential
Drawing from his past experience serving as the Federal Minister for Tourism, the Chairman Senate highlighted how strategic hospitality development can single-handedly rescue struggling economies. He lamented that many of Pakistan's most breathtaking landscapes and historical heritage sites remain virtually unknown to the international travel market.
He encouraged the youth to actively explore and market the country's diverse geographic regions, stretching from Gilgit-Baltistan and Balochistan to the historic streets of South Punjab.
"Multan is a 5,000-year-old living city whose identity is deeply woven into some of the world’s oldest civilizations," Gilani remarked. "Its unique culture and traditions present an untapped goldmine for cultural tourism."
Capitalizing on Global Labor Shortages
The Senate leader revealed that international demand for certified, skilled manpower is skyrocketing. He recalled a recent official meeting with the Italian Ambassador, who confirmed that thousands of European employment opportunities are currently vacant, waiting specifically for workers possessing specialized technical certifications.
To capitalize on this global demand, Gilani highlighted the vast potential waiting to be unlocked across several sectors:
Information Technology (IT) pipelines feeding tech talent into Germany, the European Union, and the United States
Hospitality and Hotel Management to serve expanding international tourism corridors
Advanced Vocational Skills designed to meet specific regulatory frameworks abroad
Restructuring National Welfare for Skill Development
With nearly 60 percent of Pakistan's population consisting of youth, Gilani labeled this demographic bulge as the federation's absolute greatest economic strength. However, he maintained that transforming this raw talent into financial stability requires coordinated state action.
To achieve this, the Chairman Senate announced that he will formally propose an integrated state-level collaboration model. He plans to urge the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, and relevant federal ministries to directly partner with vocational institutions to fund large-scale youth skills programs.
Concluding his address, Gilani also lauded Pakistan’s civil and military leadership for their recent diplomatic triumphs in fostering regional peace, which have greatly enhanced the country's international standing. He welcomed the federal government's recent reduction in petroleum prices, expressing strong confidence that the national economy is safely on a path toward long-term stabilization.
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