Pakistan has officially requested 10,000 PhD scholarships from China to help train its youth in cutting-edge fields and support the country’s long-term economic modernization. The proposal was shared during the recent CPEC Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting, where China reportedly responded positively and asked Pakistan for detailed program requirements.
📚 A Plan to Upskill Pakistan’s Youth
According to Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, the scholarships would be offered at China’s top 25 universities over the next decade. The goal is to produce highly skilled experts in fields such as:
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Artificial Intelligence (AI)
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Engineering and Robotics
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Advanced and Applied Sciences
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Emerging Technologies
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Industrial and Green Innovation
Iqbal said the initiative would strengthen the “softer side of CPEC” by building human capital to support a knowledge-driven economy, not just infrastructure.
👥 Why Pakistan Needs This Program
The World Bank recently reported that 37% of Pakistan’s youth (ages 15–24) are neither working nor studying. The situation is worse among women and low-income urban families. This large unskilled segment poses a threat to Pakistan’s economic growth and competitiveness.
The government believes that large-scale PhD training in China will:
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Reduce the skill gap
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Improve innovation capacity
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Support high-tech industries
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Strengthen Pakistan’s future workforce
🛠️ More Than Scholarships: Vocational and Corporate Training
In addition to PhD scholarships, Pakistan has proposed a series of youth-focused development programs, including:
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Vocational training partnerships
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Youth innovation centers
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Internships in Chinese companies
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Training in ICT, cybersecurity, spectrum management, and HR development
These programs aim to equip young Pakistanis with practical skills needed in modern industries.
🏗️ Improving Project Quality Under CPEC
To enhance the quality of CPEC project planning, Pakistan has suggested hiring foreign consultants. A Rs. 5.4 billion proposal for this purpose is currently under review by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP).
The government says international expertise will help ensure CPEC initiatives meet global standards and deliver long-term economic benefits.
