On Monday, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif committed to investing significantly in the nation’s youth to propel Pakistan towards development and prosperity. Speaking at an event celebrating International Youth Day, organized by the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Sharif announced that the government will distribute one million smartphones to high-achieving students this year as a gift from the federal government.
He emphasized that the nation’s youth have the potential to elevate Pakistan to new heights with access to modern education and resources. Sharif expressed his vision of harnessing this potential by providing education in Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence, drawing inspiration from China’s advancements.
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The Prime Minister also highlighted the country’s ongoing challenges despite its resources and 77 years of independence. He pointed out the severe poverty that affects many families, including difficulties in arranging marriages for daughters, while the elite enjoy considerable privileges.
In addition to the smartphone initiative, Sharif announced plans to personally fund the education of 1,000 agricultural graduates in China to enhance agricultural productivity. Huawei has pledged to train 200,000 youth in IT and advanced education. Sharif also revealed plans to introduce a comprehensive development strategy for the country on August 14.
The event marked the launch of several key initiatives, including the Commonwealth Youth Alliance Secretariat in Islamabad, the Digital Learning Portal, the PM Green Youth Movement, and the AI for Youth Programme, which provides Intel-certified skills to young people.
