Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif unveiled a series of initiatives focused on youth empowerment during a special event in Islamabad on Wednesday, commemorating International Youth Day. Central to these efforts was the introduction of Pakistan’s inaugural National Youth Employment Policy aimed at enhancing opportunities for young people across the country.
During the ceremony, the prime minister also honored top-performing students from Daanish Schools, recognizing their academic achievements. In his address, he emphasized the government’s commitment to advancing education and skill development, recalling successful programs initiated during his tenure as Punjab’s chief minister.
Highlighting the potential of Pakistan’s youth, PM Shehbaz stated that the nation’s children possess remarkable talent and intelligence. He stressed the importance of sustained efforts to prevent Pakistan from falling behind other countries in educational progress and skill acquisition.
He elaborated on the role of Daanish Schools, which were founded to offer quality education to children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds who otherwise lacked access to elite institutions. “Why should a child from a poor family be deprived of education?” he questioned, noting that these schools have integrated gifted students from remote and marginalized regions into mainstream education.
In a significant development, the prime minister announced plans to expand the Daanish Schools program to additional provinces, including the establishment of similar institutions in Balochistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Furthering educational ties, PM Shehbaz revealed that last year, 1,000 agricultural graduates were sent to China for advanced studies. This year, another 1,000 high-achieving matriculation and intermediate students will also be selected on merit to pursue education and training in emerging fields such as information technology and artificial intelligence in China.
He underscored the importance of correcting past shortcomings by allocating resources to youth development and prosperity. In line with this vision, the prime minister announced the establishment of Pakistan’s largest Daanish University in Islamabad, with classes slated to begin next year.
Additionally, PM Shehbaz highlighted the distribution of 700,000 laptops to young people based on merit, with plans to provide 250,000 Chromebooks within the current year. He reiterated the government’s dedication to creating equal opportunities for underprivileged children, aiming to bridge the gap between them and their more affluent peers.
