Turkish CG offers support for education

LAHORE: Turkish Consul General Mehmet Eymen Semsek affirmed the close ties between Turkey and Pakistan in the realm of education, pledging his consulate's willingness to bolster cooperation and explore new avenues of collaboration in education and related fields. Addressing the Education & Skills Summit 2026 at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Semsek highlighted the significance of education in diplomacy, expressing gratitude for the ongoing efforts to promote education and skills development in Pakistan.

He preferred a listening and learning approach, rather than asserting expertise in technical education matters.

Semsek underlined the importance of Pakistan's youthful population, emphasizing that the nation's youth represented both a significant demand and supply opportunity in the field of education. He offered his support for initiatives aimed at enhancing educational cooperation between the two countries.

Director General PEMRA Ayesha Manzoor Wattoo stressed that education and skills were not solely the responsibility of educational institutions, as media also played a crucial role in shaping the perspectives and aspirations of young people. She noted that PEMRA, in addition to its regulatory role, had a responsibility to educate the public, create awareness, and address complaints related to electronic media.

Wattoo highlighted the challenge of thousands of young people possessing degrees but struggling to find employment, urging the education system to align with the actual needs of employers and the economy.

LCCI President Faheem Ur Rehman Saigol emphasized that education was vital for societal transformation, stressing the need to integrate education, character building, and skill development. He pointed out that Pakistan's economic performance lagged behind several regional countries that had embarked on their development journeys around the same time, yet had since surpassed them.