PM Shehbaz Unveils Youth Jobs, Skills and Education Push
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Wednesday that Pakistan remains far from becoming the social welfare state envisioned at the time of its creation, while addressing an International Youth Day event in Islamabad. His remarks came as the government announced a series of youth-focused initiatives linked to employment, skills, education and technology.
The prime minister used the occasion to frame youth development as a national priority rather than a routine policy area. He said Pakistan’s future depends on whether young people are given meaningful access to education, training and economic opportunity, especially those from low-income households who remain outside elite systems of privilege.
During the event, PM Shehbaz inaugurated several programmes, including the Power Sector Innovation Programme, the National Youth Employment Policy and the Skills Ambassador Programme. These initiatives were presented as part of a wider official effort to prepare young Pakistanis for modern labour markets and emerging sectors.
A major announcement under the National Youth Employment Policy was the allocation of a 35 per cent quota for women in the labour force. The premier also said a 10 per cent annual quota would be reserved for startups, a move intended to help young entrepreneurs launch businesses and create employment rather than only seek salaried work.
In his address, Shehbaz Sharif referred to Daanish schools as an example of how state-backed education can reduce inequality. He argued that Pakistan still faces a sharp divide between children of wealthy families, who have access to the best institutions at home and abroad, and millions of children whose parents struggle to secure even basic schooling.
The prime minister said Daanish school graduates had gone on to become doctors, engineers and teachers, presenting the model as proof that talent can rise when financial barriers are removed. He also announced plans for Daanish University, which he said would be established as a leading technology-focused institution offering free education on merit.
The government also plans to send 1,000 high-achieving students to China this year for agriculture education, continuing an earlier initiative. In addition, selected students will receive state-funded opportunities to study information technology and artificial intelligence in China, reflecting Islamabad’s growing emphasis on digital skills and innovation.
Another headline announcement was the plan to distribute Chromebook laptops to 250,000 high-performing students across Pakistan. The prime minister defended his earlier laptop schemes, saying technology access had helped many young people move toward better academic and professional opportunities.
The announcements are significant because Pakistan’s youth population is one of the country’s biggest policy challenges and potential strengths. Without education, skills and employment pathways, young citizens can face joblessness and frustration; with the right support, they can contribute to growth, entrepreneurship and public-sector reform.
The next test for the government will be implementation. The impact of the employment policy, women’s quota, startup support, scholarships, Daanish University and Chromebook programme will depend on transparent selection, sustained funding and measurable outcomes that reach students and workers beyond major urban centres.