LAHORE:
More than 1.3 million job seekers and over 105,000 employers have registered with the Punjab Job Centre since its launch in August 2022, according to the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB).
Developed in collaboration with the Punjab Labour and Human Resource Department, the online platform is designed to bridge gaps between job seekers, employers, and employment agencies across the province. The job portal allows individuals from both public and private sectors to register and connect.
PITB Chairman Faisal Yousaf said the initiative is aimed to promote equal employment opportunities and help businesses access skilled and verified talent. “This platform ensures merit-based recruitment and supports workforce inclusion across Punjab,” he stated.
However, despite advancements in digital employment services across the public and private sectors, the country continues to face gaps in national labour data. The Economic Survey 202425 did not provide an updated unemployment rate, instead referencing then figure of 6.3 per cent from the 202021 Labour Force Survey. Officials attributed the absence of new data to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics’ engagement with the 7th Population and Housing Census during 202223. The Labour Force Survey for 2024-25 is currently under way.
However, newly published census data provides a broader picture of the country’s employment landscape. Of Pakistan’s total population of 241.4 million, roughly 18.7 million individuals – 7.8 per cent – are unemployed. Within the working-age population (171.7 million), the unemployment rate stands at approximately 11%.
Breakdowns by age group reveal particularly high unemployment among youth: 6.2 million unemployed in the 1524 age bracket, 6.4 million in the 2540 group, and 3.4 million between 4160.
