First youth employment policy launched

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday announced the launch of the First National Youth Employment Policy, aimed at addressing the country’s youth bulge by creating employment opportunities.

Speaking at a ceremony marking International Youth Day, the prime minister emphasised the importance of equal educational opportunities for all, particularly talented and deserving students, in line with the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to equipping the country’s youth with modern technological and skills-based education, acknowledging the demands of a fast-paced, technology-driven era. Shehbaz Sharif noted that without such opportunities, the sacrifices made during the creation of Pakistan would remain unfulfilled.

Under the policy, he announced a 35 per cent quota for women in the labour force, along with a 10 per cent annual quota for young start-ups, aimed at promoting inclusivity and innovation in the workforce.

READ ALSO: Govt crafting policy to tackle unemployment: PM

The PM said the present era was driven by artificial intelligence (AI), information technology (IT) and technology, adding that unless the latest knowledge in these fields was incorporated into their daily lives, young people would not be able to move forward and compete with developed nations.

He said the government would commit all available resources to providing youth with opportunities to excel in different fields after acquiring quality education at world-renowned institutions, with government assistance.

The PM underlined the need to end disparities in access to quality education between the elite and poor classes. He referred to the objectives behind the launch of Danish schools in Punjab during his tenure as chief minister, adding the network was being expanded to all parts of the country.

He said Danish schools were being established in backward and far-flung areas of the country to provide quality education to underprivileged students.

Acknowledging the potential of the youth, he said the nation had high expectations of them.

In the recent fiscal budget, the government had earmarked a substantial amount to support the youth. A total of 1,000 agri-educates from across the country had been sent to China at government expense to learn the latest technologies. For AI and IT education and training, more batches of youth would also be sent to China purely on merit to help them become valuable assets for the country.

The PM announced that a Danish University was being established in Islamabad and would start its academic session next year. It would be a technology-focused institution, with its doors open to deserving and talented students.

Moreover, he said a total of 700,000 laptops had been distributed among students on merit, while this year, 250,000 high achievers would be awarded Chromebooks.

Earlier, speaking on the occasion, Minister for Power Sardar Ahmad Khan Leghari said the government was launching the first innovative National Youth Employment Policy, which would provide job opportunities to young people with innovative and new ideas that could be utilised in the power sector.

He said that, unfortunately, no institutional support had been available in the past to nurture innovations, research and ideas that could benefit the power sector. The first National Employment Digital Platform would provide a springboard for such innovative ideas.

Leghari further said Rs30 million would be given annually as awards to winning participants, while Rs1 billion had been set aside for the adoption of such ideas over the next three years.

Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, in his remarks, said the Danish education system and the Punjab Educational Endowment Fund had been among the prime minister’s major achievements in the education sector. He said the prime minister’s vision would lead the country towards progress, prosperity and peace.

Earlier, the PM also formally inaugurated the National Youth Employment Policy and gave away awards to outstanding young people for their achievements.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026