ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan’s initiative to generate 10 millionjobs over a five years period stands aligned with the findings of renownedworld institutions to cope with the core issue of unemployment for ensuringa promising future for the youth of the country, according to a report.

The incumbent government had announced an ambitious initiative to create 10million jobs – 2 million jobs each year – while the United NationsDevelopment Programme (UNDP) in its recent report had estimatedrequirements of some 1.3 million jobs every year.

The country requires some 3.5 million jobs instantly to clear a backlogcreated due to unemployment over the years.

As per the UNDP report, combining the current unemployment figures of 3.5million and additional requirements of 1.3 million brings the figure to thesame target as fixed by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in its manifesto.

According to UNDP’s National Human Development Report (NHDR), the growth inemployment creation was necessary to match the unprecedented number ofyoung people entering the working age. The additional jobs to be createdper year were for the next five years, the report added.

Experts believe that the job target set by the prime minister appears to bea step forward and convincing determination that needs unflinching effortsand huge economic impetus to disembark the desired destination.

“Expanding the formal sector, supporting entrepreneurship, building thehuman capital of youth and active labour market policies are keyinstruments to ensure that the required growth is inclusive andsustainable,” the report added.

The report suggested that the gradual increase in labour forceparticipation rates means added pressure on the labour market withincreased demand for employment opportunities.

The report recommended that complete concentration onquality and not on creating enough jobs would be equally problematic whilefailure to produce additional employment opportunities could lead to 43million people being unemployed by 2050.

The agricultural sector, constituting Pakistan’s main source of employment(42.3 per cent), has immense potential for employment generation at boththe farm and non-farm levels.

The report also revealed another key sector of Pakistan’seconomy, manufacturing currently absorbs around 15.3 per cent of the totalemployed labour force despite being hindered by energy shortages and thepoor law and order situation.

Overall, with the rapidly growing services sector becoming a major sourceof jobs in the country, Pakistan must ensure that this sector provides theyoung with a chance at long-term career progression.