Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) President Sardar Tahir Mehmood has called on the business community, philanthropists and overseas Pakistanis to join hands in expanding quality education and skills development for children in Balochistan, stressing that investing in the province’s youth is investment in a stronger and more prosperous Pakistan.

Speaking at a programme organised under the auspices of the ICCI, in collaboration with Al Hijrah Schools Trust and Win Win Marketing, Mehmood said Balochistan was a critically important matter for Pakistan and for the development of the province, society must go “two steps further” in extending its fullest support.

The ICCI president also said that Pakistan, with a population of around 250 million, offered enormous opportunities for investment and economic partnerships. Referring to his recent visit to Turkiye, he revealed that foreign investors were showing growing interest in Pakistan because of its large consumer market, workforce, tariff concessions and comparatively lower operating costs.

He expressed hope that the business community, overseas Pakistanis and philanthropists would come forward to strengthen the Trust’s educational mission, particularly in Balochistan.

Al Hijrah Founder Abdul Kareem Saqib highlighted the Trust’s journey from its establishment in Birmingham, UK, in 1988 to its expansion into Pakistan. Al Hijrah was initially established to provide Muslim children living abroad with an educational environment combining Islamic values with modern learning.

He said the Trust subsequently came to Pakistan and in 2001 entered into an agreement with the government of Balochistan to establish its educational project in the province.