ISLAMABAD, Nov.1 — Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday reaffirmed his government’s resolve to invest all necessary resources in education and skill development to empower the country’s youth.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Scheme 2025, Sharif said that artificial intelligence (AI), information technology (IT) and modern skills are shaping global progress.
He said the program, launched in 2011, has so far cost around 40 to 50 billion Pakistani rupees (about 145 to 180 million U.S. dollars), noting that the government is ready to spend 500 billion rupees (about 1.8 billion dollars) if needed to equip young Pakistanis with education and skills.
Despite challenges such as floods, no cuts were made to youth development funds, he said, underscoring the government’s priority to invest in education and innovation.
Sharif said Pakistan is among the few countries developing an AI policy and stepping into semiconductor manufacturing, reflecting a strong commitment to technological advancement. (Xinhua)
