Sindh, UK to Form Joint Working Group for Educational and Employment Opportunities
Imran
Karachi, In a significant move to enhance cooperation in the education sector, the Government of Sindh and the United Kingdom have agreed to form a Joint Working Group aimed at creating educational and employment opportunities for youth in the province.
The agreement was reached during a meeting between Sindh Education Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah and British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, who visited Karachi on Thursday along with her delegation. Also present were British Deputy High Commissioner Lance Domm, Political Advisor Huda Ikram, and senior officials from the Sindh Education Department including Secretary School Education Zahid Ali Abbasi, Secretary College Education Shahab Qamar Ansari, Managing Director of Sindh Education Foundation Gahunur Laghari, and RSU Chief Program Manager Dr. Junaid Samo.
During the meeting, both sides discussed ongoing UK-supported education initiatives and explored future areas of collaboration. Minister Sardar Ali Shah welcomed the delegation and highlighted the importance of aligning education with employment, particularly through non-formal education, digital learning, and vocational and technical training.
“British institutions are the preferred choice for Pakistani students pursuing higher education,” said the Minister. “Now is the time to work together to also create local opportunities for education and employment for our youth.”
He also suggested developing a mutual recognition mechanism for educational qualifications and certifications, which could help young people access global opportunities more efficiently.
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott acknowledged the potential of such collaboration and stressed the importance of data sharing and strategic planning to benefit a larger segment of youth. “Through mutual understanding, we can build stronger systems that deliver real impact,” she noted.
Sindh Education Minister Sardar Ali Shah highlighted that the British Council has already signed an MoU to train 30,000 teachers in Sindh — a step that will significantly enhance teaching quality across the province. He emphasized that similar cooperation is needed for the development of other professional sectors as well
The proposed Joint Working Group will help identify key sectors where education and skills training can be aligned with market demands. The aim is to ensure young people are better prepared for future careers without unnecessary delays or misdirection in their education paths.
The meeting concluded with a commitment from both sides to continue working together. Minister Sardar Ali Shah also presented the British delegation with books and cultural souvenirs as a gesture of goodwill.
