global talent crunch is looming. By 2030, more than 85 million vacancies worldwide could be unfilled due to a lack of skilled workers, a Korn Ferry report warns. For a young population like Pakistan’s, where 64 percent of the population is under 30, this is both a warning and a wake-up call. The country’s demographic dividend is a potential game-changer, but only if our youth are equipped with the right skills for the evolving job market.

Pakistan faces a widening gap between the skills our workforce possesses and those demanded by the 21st-Century economy. Traditional education systems and training programmes have not kept pace with rapid technological change, leaving millions unemployed or under-employed. This is especially evident in high-growth sectors like information technology, healthcare and renewable energy, where employers report difficulty finding qualified workers.

The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) offers a unique opportunity—not as a threat, but as a transformative force that can upskill the workforce and create new employment avenues. For Pakistan, the real potential of AI lies in strengthening skill education, introducing AI-related skills into vocational training and preparing the youth for a digital-first future.

From skills gap to opportunity

Pakistan’s skills gap is particularly stark in the technology sector. Despite the IT industry contributing over $2.6 billion in exports annually, there is a chronic shortage of skilled developers, AI specialists and data scientists. Meanwhile, youth unemployment stands at 11.1 percent. Many university graduates lack the........

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