Nasir Mansoor Qureshi, President of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), while addressing a group of visiting business leaders, delivered a message: “If we are to build a prosperous Pakistan, we must build its people first.”

President Qureshi emphasized the urgent need to establish more skill development centres — not as a mere formality, but as centres of excellence that align with international standards.

“Our youth are talented, energetic, and eager to contribute,” he stated. “But without proper training aligned with global trends, we are underutilising our most valuable resource.” He drew on successful models from Germany and South Korea, where robust vocational training systems played a transformative role in economic development.

He proposed a national roadmap for technical advancement, urging public-private partnerships to invest in state-of-the-art training institutes. These, he said, must be equipped with modern labs, industry-driven curricula, and certified instructors. “We need centres that teach not just skills, but the skills that matter — AI, green technology, smart manufacturing, logistics, and digital finance,” he stressed.

President Qureshi further urged international cooperation: “Let’s work together to create a skilled, future-ready workforce — one that doesn’t just serve the local market, but powers global industries.” “A skilled Pakistan is a strong Pakistan — and the journey must begin now,” he concluded.