Ahsan Iqbal Orders HEC to Design Degrees That Lead to Real Jobs

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal has directed the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to immediately conduct a comprehensive review of university degree programs that provide jobs instead of sit-at-home graduates.

In a policy directive issued to HEC, the minister said Pakistan’s future competitiveness depends on equipping young people with the skills and knowledge needed in a technology-driven and innovation-led global economy.

Ahsan Iqbal noted that rapid advances in artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, biotechnology, quantum computing, advanced manufacturing, and digital technologies are reshaping labour markets worldwide. He said many traditional occupations are becoming obsolete while new professions are emerging, making higher education reforms essential.

He stressed that universities must prepare students for future opportunities rather than outdated job markets.

The minister said Pakistan cannot afford a mismatch between university graduates and industry needs, where institutions continue producing graduates in fields with limited future demand while employers struggle to find skilled professionals in emerging sectors.

Under the directive, HEC has been asked to assess all degree programmes based on employability, industry relevance, alignment with national development priorities, vulnerability to technological disruption, and future global demand. Programmes with outdated content, weak market relevance, or poor employment outcomes will be identified for restructuring, modernisation, consolidation, or possible phase-out.

HEC has also been directed to establish a high-level Future Skills and Curriculum Transformation Task Force comprising academics, industry leaders, technology experts, entrepreneurs, and policymakers to recommend reforms for preparing Pakistan’s workforce for the future economy.

The review will focus on expanding programmes in fields such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, cybersecurity, robotics, automation, quantum computing, bioinformatics, precision agriculture, renewable energy, climate science, digital health, smart manufacturing, fintech, and innovation management.

The minister further called for the integration of AI literacy, digital skills, data analytics, critical thinking, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, climate literacy, and problem-solving skills across all university programmes, regardless of discipline.

Referring to the government’s URAAN Pakistan initiative, Ahsan Iqbal said Pakistan’s demographic dividend can become a major national asset if young people are equipped with future-ready skills.

He added that transforming higher education into a talent-development ecosystem is essential for producing innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, technology leaders, and globally competitive professionals.

The minister said Pakistan’s ambition to become a trillion-dollar economy requires a workforce capable of driving productivity, innovation, exports, technological advancement, and quality improvements.

HEC has been asked to submit, within 60 days, a national audit framework for reviewing existing degree programmes, recommendations for introducing future-oriented disciplines, and a roadmap for aligning higher education outcomes with national development priorities and labour market needs.

The initiative is part of the broader human capital development agenda under URAAN Pakistan, which places youth empowerment, innovation, and knowledge-based economic transformation at the centre of the country’s long-term development strategy.