Pakistan and China Agree 14 Skills Projects for Youth

Pakistan has secured 11 cooperation agreements and 14 skills development projects with Chinese institutions, following a week-long visit by Prime Minister's Youth Programme (PMYP) Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan to China.

The visit, from October 27 to November 3, was aimed at expanding international qualifications, technical training and employment opportunities for Pakistani youth. Pakistan recorded the highest number of signings among participating countries at the 27th China Annual Conference and Expo for International Education (CACIE 2026).

Skills development: what was agreed

Of the 11 agreements, PMYP is directly a party to three, signed with the China Global Professional and Technical Certification Center, Jilin Electronic Information Vocational and Technical College, and Peili Vocational College.

The remaining eight involve the University of Lahore, Ghazi University, NUTECH Karachi, Preston Institute of Management Science and Technology, and the Punjab Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA), in partnership with Chinese vocational institutions.

The cooperation covers mechatronics, green energy, mobile communications, nursing, modern agriculture, cross-border e-commerce, and international skills certification. Each area will get dedicated skills development tracks with Chinese partner institutions.

The 14 flagship initiatives

The projects include an International Nursing Talent Training Base, a Cross-Border E-Commerce Talent Training Base, Pakistan Tiangong College, a Joint Teacher Training Centre, and new committees on Industrial Robotics and Electronic Information Engineering.

Jilin Electronic Information Vocational and Technical College has already trained 10 Pakistani faculty members and will enrol 15 Pakistani students in its Chinese language programme from November.

The chairman also co-launched the International Green Power Talent Development Base with the China Electricity Council, Thailand's Office of the Vocational Education Commission and TANG International Education Group. The base will drive skills development for green energy jobs across the region.

Railway jobs linked to the ML-1 upgrade

In a significant development for employment linked to railway infrastructure, China Railway Group Secretary Han Hui flew to Pakistan following strategic discussions with the PMYP chairman. The aim is to initiate on-the-ground work on skills training and employment opportunities associated with the Main Line-I (ML-1) railway upgrade.

What officials said

"Every student enrolled, and every teacher trained is a step towards a stronger, more skilled Pakistan," Rana Mashhood said.

To ensure effective implementation, the PMYP China Secretariat has been established at the Beijing headquarters of TANG International Education Group. It will coordinate skills development cooperation among government departments, educational institutions and industry partners.

Rana Mashhood said youth empowerment remained a key priority of the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, advancing the vision of a Skilled, Empowered and Digital Pakistan.

Frequently asked questions

What did Pakistan and China agree on?

11 cooperation agreements and 14 skills development projects between Pakistani and Chinese institutions.

Who led the Pakistan delegation?

PM Youth Programme Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, who visited China from October 27 to November 3.

Which fields do the skills projects cover?

Mechatronics, green energy, mobile communications, nursing, modern agriculture, cross-border e-commerce and international skills certification.

What is Pakistan Tiangong College?

One of the 14 flagship skills development initiatives unveiled during the visit.

Will these projects create jobs?

The visit linked skills development directly to employment, including railway work under the ML-1 upgrade and internationally recognised certifications for youth.