Shehbaz Sharif Launches National Youth Employment Policy
PM Shehbaz Unveils Employment Policy and Skill Schemes for Youth
YOUTH EMPLOYMENT POLICY LAUNCHED
Illustration concept: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif speaking at a podium during an official youth policy launch ceremony in Islamabad, realistic news photo.
AI summary
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif introduced Pakistan's first National Youth Employment Policy alongside new skill and energy innovation initiatives during an International Youth Day ceremony in Islamabad. The framework mandates a 35% labor quota for women and reserves 10% of annual startup allocations for young entrepreneurs.
Why this matters
With a large youth demographic, structured workforce development and economic support are pivotal for Pakistan's fiscal recovery. Establishing specific quotas for female labor participation and youth startups aims to address gender disparities while encouraging self-employment across the country.
Key takeaways
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated Pakistan's first National Youth Employment Policy in Islamabad.
- The framework mandates a 35% quota for women in labor force allocations.
- A 10% annual startup quota is designated to encourage young entrepreneurs to build businesses.
- The rollout includes the Skill Ambassador Programme and National Power Sector Innovation Programme.
- More than 700,000 merit-based laptops have been distributed to students to date.
In a bid to expand economic inclusion and vocational opportunities, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif unveiled a suite of fresh national initiatives targeted at young citizens during an International Youth Day gathering in Islamabad.
The centerpiece of the announcement is Pakistan’s first National Youth Employment Policy, introduced alongside the Skill Ambassador Programme and the National Power Sector Innovation Programme. During his address, the prime minister affirmed that equal educational and training access remains critical to national advancement.
To promote broader demographic participation, the employment framework establishes clear baseline allocations. The policy mandates that 35 percent of the labor force quota be designated for women, alongside a 10 percent reservation within annual startup quotas to help young founders build independent enterprises.
Highlighting past educational investments, Shehbaz Sharif noted that the government has already distributed more than 700,000 merit-based laptops to high-achieving students, reiterating a pledge to continue providing digital tools and educational resources.
Frequently asked questions
- What primary policy did Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launch?
- He launched Pakistan's first National Youth Employment Policy, along with the Skill Ambassador Programme and the National Power Sector Innovation Programme.
- What specific quotas are set under the new employment policy?
- The policy mandates a 35% quota for women in labor force allocations and reserves 10% of annual startup quotas for youth-led ventures.
- Where was the launch event held?
- The official ceremony took place in Islamabad to mark International Youth Day.
Source & transparency
- By:
- The Reviser Desk
- Source:
- Business Recorder
- Original publication:
- Aug 12, 2026, 4:34 PM
- The Reviser publication:
- Aug 12, 2026, 4:34 PM
- Updated:
- Aug 12, 2026, 5:00 PM
This report was independently written by The Reviser editorial desk from verified source material. It is not original on-the-ground reporting by The Reviser.
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