MULTAN – United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Provincial Director for Punjab, Kevin Sharp highlighted ongoing U.S.-Pakistan cooperation on a range of issues and encouraged job skills development for Pakistani youth during a three-day trip to Multan and Muzaffargarh.
While in the region, he distributed toolkits to help aspiring entrepreneurs start their businesses and met with local government officials, business leaders, and university representatives.
“The United States is proud to partner with Pakistan in South Punjab,” Mr. Sharp said.
“Whether it is through initiatives to provide job skills and entrepreneurship opportunities to youth, award scholarships to students, support community development efforts, or encourage women livestock farmers, the United States stands with Pakistan as it seeks greater prosperity for its people,” he added.
The US official distributed toolkits to graduates of technical training courses funded by USAID’s Punjab Youth Workforce Development Project (PYWDP).
The toolkits will help them start new businesses, creating economic opportunities for youth in Multan, Muzaffargarh, Bahawalpur, and Lodhran. Since its inception three years ago, the project has provided job skills training and entrepreneurship opportunities to more than 9,000 people in these districts.
While visiting the shrine of Shah Rukn-e-Alam in Multan, Mr. Sharp expressed his appreciation for Pakistan’s rich cultural heritage. He also visited Bahauddin Zakariya University’s Faculty of Education building, which was constructed with USAID support.
In a separate meeting with the Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Sharp emphasized the importance of private sector engagement in promoting economic growth.
In Muzaffargarh, Mr. Sharp called on the deputy commissioner and visited the Citizens’ Facilitation Center, which was established with PYWDP assistance. The center serves as a one-window operation to meet citizens’ needs for official documentation.
