PM launches first-ever National Youth Employment Policy

ISLAMABAD -- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formally launched Pakistan's first National Youth Employment Policy, aimed at creating greater employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for young people.

Addressing the launching ceremony in Islamabad today, he said the policy will ensure a fifty percent quota for women in the labour force.

The Prime Minister also announced that ten percent of the annual quota will be allocated to startups to encourage young people to establish their own businesses instead of seeking conventional employment.

He also announced that one thousand boys and girls will be sent to China for training in Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence on merit. He said all expenses in this regard will be borne by the government.

Shehbaz Sharif said seven hundred thousand laptops have so far been distributed among talented students. He said two hundred and fifty thousand Chromebooks will be distributed among high-achieving students this year.

The Prime Minister said he had established Daanish Schools across Pakistan to provide Aitchison College-level education to deserving students.

He further announced that a new Daanish University is being established in Islamabad, with classes expected to commence next year.

He said the university will focus on technology and technical education, with greater emphasis on modern sciences.

The Prime Minister said admission to Daanish University will be based on merit, regardless of students' financial backgrounds, enabling deserving students to acquire quality education.

On the occasion, Shehbaz Sharif also launched the National Power Sector Innovation Programme and the Skills Ambassador Programme.