Lahore: CM Task Force on Skills Development Chairperson  Adnan Afzal Chattha said that following the vision of the Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the government would  usher a skilled and empowered youth population.

During a visit to Punjab Skills Development Fund’s (PSDF) head office, Chattha observed that to bridge the skills gap in a rapidly evolving job market, the government intends to boost the skill development of youth, marginalized communities, and women from rural areas.

By aligning with the Chief Minister’s vision, the Task Force aims to create sustainable employment opportunities, drive economic growth, uplift the socio-economic status of the youth, and provide high-quality human resources for international placement, especially in GCC regions.

In the meeting, it was discussed to focus on programs for skill development, which included the Chief Minister’s Skilled Punjab Development Program, Chief Minister Skills Development Program for Transgenders, and Empowering Women by Way of IT Training Across Punjab.

Moreover, he also mentioned the Chief Minister’s focus on developing the ecosystem of international accreditations, targeting global job placements, resulting in a higher remittance flow and improved living standards which he emphasized would come from globally recognized certifications in IT courses by industry leaders such as Google, IBM, Meta, Microsoft, etc. Hence, improving the country's freelance landscape and increasing opportunities for the workforce in the global market.

The Chairperson appreciated the PSDF's exemplary track record of imparting training and skill development among the youth of Punjab, stating: "PSDF's dedication to excellence and innovation, combined with its strategic public-private partnerships, plays a pivotal role in equipping Punjab's youth with the skills necessary for a prosperous future. By leveraging these strengths, we can create a truly future-ready generation”.

Special focus on internationally recognized certifications in Hospitality, Healthcare workers, and IT along with developing soft skills components including language and personal grooming will be the areas to drive manpower export growth potential for the youth of Punjab.

 These combined efforts will provide opportunities for over 30,000 people.  For 14 years, PSDF has been a beacon of hope and progress for Punjab’s youth, leading the charge in skills development with remarkable achievements.

Ends/

Islamabad: Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal on Friday emphasized the need for adopting the latest technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, in a revolutionary manner to align with modern digital economies.

Chairing a meeting in Islamabad, he said the draft of AI National Plan has been prepared which needs to be shared with all the stakeholders for their inputs.  He said input should also be sought on it from overseas Pakistanis.

Ahsan Iqbal highlighted the diverse applications of AI in various fields, including health, education and agriculture, saying its use can bring many benefits. He said China is willing to help Pakistan develop human resource in this field.

Paris: Renowned stars are set to perform at the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, which will take place along the Seine River on Friday.

While the official line-up remains a closely guarded secret, three performers are widely speculated to be part of the event:

Lady Gaga

One of the top-selling artists globally, Lady Gaga, known for her extravagant showmanship and vibrant costumes, is anticipated to perform. Born Stefani Germanotta, she is famous for her infectious electropop beats and dramatic performances. Lady Gaga won an Oscar for "Shallow," a song she co-wrote for the 2018 film "A Star is Born." In the film, she also performed the iconic "La Vie en rose" by French legend Edith Piaf, whose songs are expected to be featured in the Olympic ceremony. Recently, Lady Gaga was spotted arriving at a hotel in Paris ahead of the event.

Her expected appearance at the Olympics coincides with a busy year. She announced her return to the studio to work on a new album and is also set to appear as Harley Quinn in the upcoming "Joker" movie, premiering at the Venice Film Festival in late August. Reflecting on the power of music, Lady Gaga once said, “Music is one of the most powerful things the world has to offer. No matter what race or religion or nationality or sexual orientation or gender that you are, it has the power to unite us.”

Celine Dion

Canadian superstar Celine Dion is rumored to make a comeback after battling a rare illness, as highlighted in a recent documentary. She has been seen taking selfies with fans in Paris throughout the week. Sources suggest she might perform Piaf’s stirring love anthem "Hymne A l’Amour" at the ceremony. If she performs, it will be her second Olympic appearance since the 1996 Atlanta Games.

Dion, who revealed her diagnosis of Stiff Person Syndrome in December 2022, has vowed to return to the stage despite her condition. She told NBC in June, “I’m going to go back onstage, even if I have to crawl. Even if I have to talk with my hands, I will. I will.” Over her decades-long career, Dion has sold over 250 million albums and won two Grammys for her rendition of "My Heart Will Go On," the theme song from the 1997 film "Titanic."

Aya Nakamura

Franco-Malian R&B sensation Aya Nakamura, 29, is currently the most listened-to French-speaking singer in the world, with seven billion streams online. Known for hits like "Djadja" and "Pookie," Nakamura has faced criticism from right-wing activists over her potential Olympic performance.

The backlash followed reports that she had discussed performing a song by Piaf with President Emmanuel Macron.

Although neither party confirmed this, Macron publicly supported Nakamura for the Olympic ceremony. Critics from far-right and conservative circles have accused her of "vulgarity" and disrespecting the French language in her lyrics.

Born Aya Danioko in Bamako, Mali, she moved to the Paris suburbs as a child. In a 2020 interview, Nakamura stated her music explores “feelings of love in all their aspects” and emphasized, “I have made my own musical universe and that is what I am most proud of. I make the music I like, even if people try to pigeon-hole me.”