Beneficiaries of different skill development training measures received in-kind support from German development cooperation at a ceremony in Islamabad. A total of 140 beneficiaries, out of whom 68 were females, received in-kind support in the form of toolkits, and 20 Culinary Arts trainees, 12 of whom were females, received certificates recognising their readiness to enter the international hospitality sector.

The ceremony was organised by Centres for Migration and Development (ZME) Pakistan in collaboration with the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development (MOPHRD). High-level dignitaries attended the event, including the Joint Secretary MOPHRD, Tanveer Azmi, Chairman of the Board of Governors for the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF), Syed Qamar Raza, and Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy in Pakistan, Dr. Sebastian Paust.
The ceremony marked a significant step forward in Pakistani-German development cooperation. Within the framework of the global programme Centres for Migration and Development (ZME), Germany is supporting different countries, including Pakistan, in their efforts to provide services to migrants, people interested in migration, returning migrants, and disadvantaged groups of the local population, particularly women.

On behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), ZME aims to create secure livelihood opportunities in Pakistan by offering customised, high-demand training and in-kind support. This training covered skills in Solar PV systems, honey beekeeping, and semi-skilled trades like electrical work, plumbing, tailoring, and beauty services.

Chairman of the Board of Governors for the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF), Syed Qamar Raza, expressed his gratitude for the ongoing partnership between Germany and Pakistan in sustainable labour migration and reintegration. He remarked, “Today’s in-kind support ceremony is a testament to our commitment to support migrants and returnees through specialised skill development training. The certificates and toolkits the participants received today will ensure sustainable livelihoods for them and contribute towards the socio-economic development of Pakistan.”

In his address, Dr. Sebastian Paust highlighted the longstanding success of Pakistan-Germany cooperation, now spanning over 70 years. He said, “The Centres for Migration and Development play a pivotal role in fostering skilled labour migration through tailored, certified training programmes. Our mission is to promote safe and legal migration, as well as facilitating the reintegration of returning migrants and assisting disadvantaged local populations.”