ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced Pakistan’s first National Youth Policy, introducing a 35% quota for women in the labour force and a 10% quota for youth startups as part of a wider plan to expand education, employment, entrepreneurship and technology opportunities for young people.
Speaking at an International Youth Day ceremony in Islamabad, the prime minister said the policy was designed to give young Pakistanis more equal access to education and economic opportunities and to reduce the gap between privileged and underprivileged students.
35% Women Quota, 10% Startup Quota Announced
Under the National Youth Policy, the government plans to reserve 35% of opportunities for women across the labour force and 10% for youth-led startups.
PM Shehbaz said the startup quota was intended to encourage young people to build businesses and create jobs rather than depend only on traditional employment.
He said Pakistan’s youth had the talent to compete internationally if they were given access to quality education, modern skills and fair opportunities.
1,000 Students to Study IT and AI in China
The prime minister also announced that 1,000 students from across Pakistan would be sent to China on government funding to study information technology and artificial intelligence.
He said students had previously been sent to China on merit for modern agricultural education and that similar opportunities would now be expanded into technology and AI.
Daanish Schools Network to Expand
PM Shehbaz said the government was expanding the Daanish Schools network to Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Balochistan.
He said students at these institutions would receive free education, with the government aiming to provide standards comparable to leading private and elite schools.
The prime minister also announced that classes at Daanish University Islamabad would begin next year.
The university will focus on technical and modern sciences, with admissions to be offered on merit.
250,000 Chromebooks for Students
PM Shehbaz said around 700,000 laptops had already been distributed to students on merit and announced that another 250,000 Chromebooks would be provided across the country this year.
He said the government’s youth initiatives were focused on education, digital access, entrepreneurship and skills development.
Youth to Shape Pakistan of 2047
The prime minister said the generation that founded Pakistan in 1947 had created the country, while today’s young people would shape the Pakistan of 2047.
He said the National Youth Policy was intended to give young citizens the tools and opportunities needed to play a central role in the country’s future economic and social development.
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