Pakistan’s youth crisis spurs request for China scholarships

Pakistan’s youth crisis spurs request for China scholarships – Will it work?

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November, 14 2025

(Web Desk): With 37% of Pakistan’s youth currently out of work and out of school, the government has turned urgently to China for support.

Recently, Pakistan sought 10,000 PhD scholarships to help stem a deepening national skills and employment crisis.

The proposal, tabled by Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal at the recent CPEC Joint Cooperation Committee meeting, aims to place Pakistani students in the top 25 Chinese universities to study high-impact disciplines including artificial intelligence, engineering and advanced sciences.

Officials say the initiative aims to create a knowledge-based workforce and bridge the widening skills gap that is keeping millions of young Pakistanis out of productive employment. The government has called the plan a “transformational investment in human capital” marking a strategic shift in CPEC Phase II from infrastructure projects to education, innovation and technology driven cooperation.

China has expressed interest and requested additional details before the proposal is finalized in the minutes of the 14th JCC meeting.

Pakistan has also sought vocational training programs, youth innovation centers, and internship opportunities within Chinese companies to help integrate young people into the future labor market.

If approved, officials believe the scholarship program could help reshape Pakistan’s academic and economic landscape while reducing long-term youth unemployment.