Islamabad (HRNW)- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced Pakistan’s first National Youth Policy, introducing measures aimed at expanding educational opportunities, supporting youth entrepreneurship and increasing women’s participation in the workforce.
Addressing a ceremony in Islamabad on International Youth Day, the Prime Minister said a 35 percent quota for women would be mandatory across the workforce, while a 10 percent quota for youth startups would be introduced to help young people establish their own businesses.
Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the need for equal educational opportunities, saying millions of talented young Pakistanis could excel if provided with access to quality education. He said financial barriers prevent children from disadvantaged families from accessing leading educational institutions.
The Prime Minister highlighted the expansion of the Danish School system, saying schools are being established in Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir and Balochistan to provide free education and maintain high educational standards.
He also announced that 1,000 Pakistani students would be sent to China at government expense to receive education and training in information technology and artificial intelligence.
Shehbaz Sharif said the Islamic University in Islamabad is expected to begin classes next year, with a focus on technical and modern sciences. He said admissions would be based on merit and students would be provided opportunities regardless of their financial background.
The Prime Minister also announced that 250,000 additional children would receive Chromebooks this year. He said the government had already distributed laptops to 700,000 students on merit and described the initiative as a means of helping young people enter the modern economy and develop sustainable careers.
Under the National Youth Policy, the government will also focus on entrepreneurship and startup development, with a dedicated quota intended to encourage young people to establish businesses rather than rely solely on traditional employment.
Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan’s younger generation would play a decisive role in shaping the country’s future and emphasized investment in education, technology, skills and entrepreneurship.
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