Launches National Youth Employment Policy
Announces 35% quota for women in labour force
Says laptops help youth
YOUNG EXCELLENCE: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presents awards to high achievers at a ceremony marking International Youth Day in Islamabad. PHOTO: APP
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to equipping Pakistan’s youth with modern technological and skill-based education, acknowledging the demands of a fast-paced, tech-driven era.
Speaking at a ceremony marking International Youth Day, the prime minister emphasized 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.
The prime minister, announcing the country’s first National Youth Employment Policy, launched the Skill Ambassador Programme and the National Power Sector Innovation Programme. He said a 35% quota for women in the labour force would be mandatory.
He said that so far, 700,000 laptops had been distributed to children purely on merit, with not a single laptop given on the basis of recommendations.
This year, another 250,000 children across the country would receive Chromebooks. He added that children from private schools had not been included in the programme.
“We were taunted for giving laptops as bribes. Did these laptops not give children the opportunity to earn a respectable livelihood and enter the modern world?” he asked.
“I consider the laptop not a machine, but a mission, and I will take this mission forward,” the prime minister said.
He noted that without such opportunities, the sacrifices made during the creation of Pakistan would remain unfulfilled.
The prime minister formally announced the commencement of the ‘First National Youth Employment Policy’, aimed at addressing the country’s youth bulge by creating job opportunities.
Under the policy, he announced a 35 percent quota for women in the labor force, along with a 10 percent annual quota for young startups, ensuring inclusivity and innovation in the workforce.
The prime minister said today is an era of AI, IT and technology driven, if the latest knowledge in these fields is not incorporated in their daily life, they cannot move ahead and compete with the developed nations.
He resolved that the government would commit all its available resources to provide such like opportunities to the youth to excel in different fields, after getting quality education at the world renowned institutions, with the government’s assistance.
The ceremony was attended by ministers, parliamentarians, diplomats, teachers and young students.
The prime minister underlined the need to end disparity in getting quality education among the elite and the poor classes and referred to the objectives behind launching of Danish schools in Punjab during his tenure as Khadim e Aala of the province, adding that the network was being expanded to all parts of the country.
He said Danish schools were based upon such concept to provide quality education to the deprived and talented students of the society which also aligned with the vision behind creation of a separate homeland.
Pakistan was created as country where equal opportunities in education, health and progress in different fields of life would be readily available on the basis of hard work, he observed, adding unless equality is not maintained among all the citizens, their real destination will be far off.
The prime minister said Danish schools were being established in the backward and far flung areas of the country to provide quality education to the deprived lot.
Acknowledging the youth’s potential, he said the nation attached great expectations to them.
In the recent fiscal budget, the government had earmarked a substantial amount to support the youth. A total of 1000 agri-educates from all parts of the country, had been sent to China at the government expenses to get latest technology. While for the AI and IT education and training, more batches of youth, purely on merit basis, would also be sent to China to become valuable assets for the country.
He reiterated that all national resources would be utilized to provide facilities to the youth under the vision of Quaid.
The prime minister announced that Danish University was being established in Islamabad which would start its academic session next year. It would be tech-focused institute and its doors would be open to the deserving and talented students.
Moreover, he mentioned that a total of 700,000 laptops had been distributed among the students on merit whereas in this year, 250,000 high achievers would be given Chrome Books as awards.
“The future is not something you wait for, the future is something you build, now go and build it,” the prime minister encouraged the youth with a famous quote.
Earlier, the prime minister also formally inaugurated National Youth Employment Policy, and gave away awards to the brilliant youth for their excellent achievements.
(With input from Agencies)
