Balochistan Governor Stresses AI and Digital Training for Youth

Quetta (Itemad News): Balochistan Governor Jafar Khan Mandokhail kept the promotion of artificial intelligence, digital literacy and practical IT training for young people in Pakistan, particularly Balochistan, at the centre of his intellectual and practical agenda during 2026.

In statements at various media forums, addresses at academic and educational events, meetings with national and international figures, and contacts with the vice-chancellors of public sector universities, the governor consistently stressed education and training in artificial intelligence, robotics, e-commerce, online business and information technology. As a result of his focus, these modern fields have become an important subject in Balochistan’s educational and development debates.

Mandokhail is aware that thousands of young people in the province face the serious economic problem of unemployment. In his view, traditional government jobs or limited opportunities alone are not enough to meet this challenge, and young people must be aligned with the demands of a changing global economy.

He says that practical training in artificial intelligence, digital literacy, modern medical and professional courses, e-commerce and online business can enable young people to use their abilities in domestic and international markets and also create employment opportunities for others.

Under this vision, he urged all public sector universities to move beyond conventional curricula and introduce academic programmes that match modern technology and market needs. According to him, the aim of higher education is not merely the acquisition of degrees, but to turn knowledge into practical skill, research into productive capacity and education into economic independence. He told vice-chancellors that the gap between bookish learning and practical life should be narrowed.

According to the governor, the digital economy is not bound by geographical limits. A young person from Balochistan, living in his own city or village, can reach national and global markets through online business, software development and other digital services. In 2026, the governor represented young people of Pakistan and Balochistan at a United Nations forum in New York, highlighting their abilities, the challenges they face and the prospects for a bright future at the international level.

The governor’s core message is that young people should be given not just degrees, but knowledge, modern technology and practical skills aligned with the demands of the future. He believes effective collaboration between public universities, private educational institutions, the technology sector and relevant government bodies is essential to achieve this goal.