LAHORE   –  Punjab Skills Development Fund (PSDF) and the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) have signed an MoU to strengthen collaboration between government and industry to align skills development ecosystem with Pakistan’s private sector as part of an upcoming Punjab Industrial Clusters Programme (PICP) under Maryam Nawaz Hunarmand Naujawan.

The MoU establishes a collaborative framework through which PSDF and FPCCI will work together to strengthen industry linkages, enhance labour market responsiveness, and facilitate greater private sector participation in skills development. Both organizations aim to bridge the gap between training institutions and employers while promoting a sustainable pipeline of skilled human capital for high-growth sectors of the economy. The partnership also focuses on expanding women’s access to skills development and employment pathways in non-traditional, technical, industrial, digital, and export-oriented sectors.

PSDF and FPCCI will establish mechanisms for industry engagement to identify emerging sectors, evolving occupational requirements, and future workforce demands. The collaboration will also facilitate internships, apprenticeships, work-based learning opportunities, career exposure initiatives, and employer engagement to strengthen the transition of skilled individuals into productive employment. The MoU further provides for joint seminars, technical workshops, policy dialogues, knowledge-sharing platforms and research initiatives to promote evidence-based approaches to workforce planning, sectoral competitiveness, and export-oriented human capital development.

Speaking on the occasion, Ahmed Khan, CEO of PSDF, said: “The future of skills development lies in strong partnerships with industry, which is why we are institutionalizing private sector engagement in the design and continuous improvement of skills development programs – to better understand labour market dynamics, anticipate emerging workforce needs, and equip our youth with industry-relevant skills to increase economic growth.” Representing Pakistan’s largest network of chambers and trade associations, including 170 sectors of the economy, FPCCI will play a pivotal role in mobilizing private sector participation, providing labour market insights, and facilitating employer engagement for employment and workforce development initiatives.

Zaki Aijaz, Regional Chairman and Vice President at FPCCI, emphasized on the importance of aligning workforce development with the country’s industrial ambitions. “Pakistan’s economic future depends on a workforce equipped with industry-relevant technical skills. We commend Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz, for making skills training a strategic priority for the industrial sectors.” The partnership reinforces a shared vision of positioning skills as a catalyst for industrial growth, export competitiveness, and sustainable employment. By strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors, PSDF and FPCCI aim to build a workforce that meets the needs of a rapidly evolving economy and improve employment outcomes while contributing to Punjab’s long-term economic transformation.

MULTAN  –   The Punjab Agriculture Department has issued an advisory, urging farmers to take precautionary measures to protect their crops from the adverse effects of the monsoon rains. Experts warned that excessive monsoon rains can damage cotton and vegetables crops, adding that cotton plants may begin to die if water remained stagnant for more than 48 hours. They, however, added that sugarcane, rice and fodder crops can tolerate excess water, and rainwater may be diverted from cotton, vegetables or other crops fields to these fields without causing significant damage. Cotton and vegetable crops are highly sensitive to waterlogging that makes immediate drainage of excess rainwater essential, agriculture spokesman said in a statement on Thursday. He said that crops grown on raised beds are comparatively safer from the harmful effects of heavy rainfall. He advised that farmers can divert surplus rain water from cotton or vegetables field to adjacent sugarcane, fodder or rice fields. If no such fields are available, farmers should dig drainage channels or trenches to remove excess water. After rainfall, if required, farmers may apply plant growth regulators to cotton crops, but only after consulting local agricultural experts of the agriculture extension department. Officials also urged farmers to regularly monitor weather forecasts broadcast on radio and television so that irrigation schedules could be planned accordingly. It further noted that the monsoon season promotes the rapid growth of weeds, which compete with crops for nutrients and also provide shelter to harmful insect pests. In addition, the prevailing humid weather increases the risk of attacks by sap-sucking insects. Keeping in view the situation, farmers should remain vigilant and seek guidance from the local staff of the extension or pest warning wings of the agriculture department for effective pest management.