18/08/2026
Peshawar, 18 August 2026 : The Directorate of Social Welfare, UNDP and KP-TEVTA Launch Skill Development Program for 200 Vulnerable Youth of Tehsil Bara in District Khyber.
The Directorate of Social Welfare, Special Education & Women Empowerment, Merged Areas, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with the technical & financial support of UNDP under the LoA for the implementation of the Community Stabilization Project (CSP) in District Khyber, has launched a skill development program for 200 vulnerable youth from Tehsil Bara, District Khyber, comprising 100 men and 100 women.
The program aims to strengthen the socio-economic resilience and community participation of vulnerable youth through market-oriented skills, while promoting peaceful and empowered communities. In addition to skills development, the intervention includes Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS), recreational activities, community sensitization sessions, community engagement through Girls peer groups and Women Advisory Committees, and the establishment of a Model Gender Desk at Tehsil Bara.
For the implementation of the skill development component, the Directorate of Social Welfare has signed an MoU with KP-TEVTA and organized a joint onboarding and opening ceremony in collaboration with UNDP. A total of five skill trades were selected by the participants, including E-Commerce, Solar PV, General Electrician, Welding, Dress Designing (Tailoring), and Embroidery.
The ceremony was graced by Mr. Malik Liaqat Ali Khan, Advisor to the Chief Minister for Social Welfare, Special Education, Zakat & Ushr and Women Empowerment Department, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as the Chief Guest.
The event was attended by Mr. Arshad Qayum Barki, Director Social Welfare, Special Education & Women Empowerment, Merged Areas; Mr. Obaid ur Rahman, Deputy Director , Mr. Ibrar Ahmad, Assistant Director; Mr. Iftikhar Hussain, Admin Officer; Mr. Abdur Raheem, Director Finance, KP-TEVTA, Mr. Ehtisham and Mr. Muhammad Iqbal, Deputy Director, KP-TEVTA, along with representatives of UNDP, including Mr. Ejaz Khan, Project Lead; Mr. Qasim Masood, Reporting & Coordination Officer, Ms. Tahira Kaleem, M&E Officer, Mr. Noor Alam, Project Manager, and the project team.
Addressing the participants, Mr. Malik Liaqat Ali Khan highlighted the importance of skills development and encouraged the trainees, particularly women and youth, to actively participate in the program and use their skills to contribute to the development of their communities. He emphasized that skilled and empowered communities can play a vital role in promoting peace, social cohesion and stability in areas affected by conflict and vulnerability.
The Advisor appreciated the efforts of the Directorate of Social Welfare and UNDP for empowering vulnerable communities in District Khyber and expressed his interest in expanding similar interventions to other Merged Districts. He also emphasized the importance of introducing carpet weaving skill training for women to create additional livelihood and income-generating opportunities.
Welcoming the trainees, the leadership encouraged them to take this opportunity as a step towards self-confidence, economic empowerment and community development, stressing that skilled and empowered communities are essential for building peaceful and resilient societies.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Arshad Qayum Barki, Director Social Welfare, Merged Areas, thanked the Advisor for attending the ceremony and for his encouragement and support to the trainees and the department. He also appreciated the leadership, commitment and collective efforts of UNDP, KP-TEVTA and the project team in making the event possible.
He also added that the skill development initiative represents a significant step towards empowering vulnerable youth, strengthening livelihood opportunities and promoting community stabilization in District Khyber, while creating pathways for women and young people to become active contributors to peaceful, resilient and self-reliant communities.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority
UNDP Pakistan
Directorate of Social Welfare, Merged Areas Secretariat - 'formerly FATA'
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