Premier says the economy has pulled back from the brink of default, now is the time to boost growth and that youth must lead this charge
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addresses laptop distribution ceremony in Haripur. PHOTO: PM Official/X
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced that the government will send Pakistani students to Europe and China for training in artificial intelligence.
Addressing a laptop distribution ceremony at the University of Haripur on Wednesday, the Prime Minister emphasized that students from across Pakistan, including Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), will be selected solely on the basis of merit.
The Prime Minister inaugurated the much-awaited Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme at a ceremony held at the University of Haripur, attended by government officials, youth leaders and a number of beneficiaries, all of whom expressed their gratitude for the scheme, which has already impacted over a million students across the country.
A special documentary showing the success of the laptop scheme since its inception in 2013 was presented at the event. It highlighted the ambitious 2025 vision for the country’s youth and the continued progress being made under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership to ensure their empowerment through education and technology.
In his address, Prime Minister Shehbaz shared his long-standing vision to empower Pakistan’s youth and emphasized the importance of providing them with opportunities based on their abilities to achieve global recognition.
“Whether it is the laptops or the 1000 students trained in agriculture or even the 600 students I sent to China during my tenure as Chief Minister Punjab, it is my firm belief that Pakistan’s development does not depend on any single province. It depends on holistic development,” he added.
Shehbaz Sharif also shed light on the nation’s broader challenges, particularly the state of the economy and the need for skill development. He touched upon the importance of modern skills in sectors such as IT, agriculture and mining and emphasized the need to bridge the gap between the capabilities of the youth and the demands of the industry.
“We have pulled the economy back from the brink of default and now is the time for us to boost growth. It will require modern skills and our youth must lead this charge,” he said. He also announced plans to send delegations from all provinces to China for training in artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies to meet the country’s needs.
In response to local demands, Prime Minister Shehbaz made several important announcements. These included the establishment of a Daanish school in Haripur, a model similar to those founded in Punjab, with separate campuses for boys and girls. He also responded to requests for a women’s campus at Haripur University and committed to its speedy establishment.
“I respect and acknowledge the culture of KP and I promise that this women’s campus will be built to honor the students and their aspirations,” he said. The Prime Minister also promised the construction of the Haripur Bridge with the aim of connecting educational institutions and promoting better access to resources.
The Prime Minister ended his speech with a message of unity and national pride. He urged the youth to be inspired by the teachings of Allama Iqbal, who envisioned a Pakistan where the youth would tackle global challenges with dignity and determination.
“We must accept the challenges ahead and move forward with unity and conviction. Pakistan’s future is in the hands of our youth and they will take this country to unprecedented heights,” he said.
