THIS is with reference to the report `PM showers incentives to entice expats` (April 16), which detailed the comprehensive welfare package announced by the prime minister for overseas Pakistanis, offering arange ofincentives,including education and employment quotas, civil awards and various skill development opportunities.

The package included even a five-year age relaxation for male overseas job applicants and a seven-year relaxation for overseas women to apply for government jobs.

The package offering age relaxation for overseas Pakistanis and their children to access government jobs is a step in the right direction, and reflects a broaderunderstanding within government circles ofthe relevantissues.

Pakistan, like several other countries, has a vibrant diaspora spread across the globe. This community plays a significant role in the country`s economy through remittances, investments, and global representation.

However, for the children of overseas Pakistanis, opportunities for securing government jobs back home were often limited. The age relaxation policy will ensure that these individuals will have a fair chance.

The government move can be a catalyst for strengthening the relationship between the youth abroad and the domestic job market. However, on the other hand, it is essentialto ensure that this relaxation is not just limited to the children of overseasPakistanis.

In fact, it should also be extended to the young in Pakistan who have also been facing similar challenges in securing employment.

As such, age relaxation could serve as a temporary, but a crucial solution to the rising unemployment in the country, especially considering the economic challenges brought about by inflation, and an overstretched publicsector.

The government must ensure that jobs are offered in a transparent, meritoriented manner, ensuring fairness for all applicants regardless of their resident or non-resident status.

Additionally, it should focus on creating more avenues for youth, such as increasing the number of internships, announcing vocational training programmes, and private-sector partnerships, to ensure that the age relaxation policy translates into real employment opportunities for one and all without any discrimination of any sort for or against anyone at all.

Muhammad Salim Islamabad