Shehbaz Sharif’s vision: changing the future of Pakistan’s youth through education

The future of Pakistan will be determined, in no small measure, by how effectively it educates, equips and empowers its youth.

London — The future of Pakistan will be determined, in no small measure, by how effectively it educates, equips and empowers its youth. In a country with a large young population, access to quality education, modern technology and meaningful economic opportunities is not simply a social objective; it is fundamental to national development, economic competitiveness and long-term prosperity.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has repeatedly placed youth empowerment and education at the centre of his development agenda. Having reported on his political career for nearly two decades and met him in London on several occasions, I have witnessed his consistent emphasis on the role of young people in Pakistan’s progress. In our interactions in London, he frequently spoke about the need to invest in the younger generation, expand educational opportunities and enable talented Pakistanis to contribute to the country’s economic future.

That emphasis has found expression in a series of initiatives, from Daanish Schools and the Punjab Educational Endowment Fund to scholarships for outstanding students and, most recently, the Prime Minister’s Youth Chromebook Scheme. Taken together, these programmes reflect a policy approach that seeks to connect education with social mobility and opportunity.

The significance of this agenda lies not merely in the launch of individual schemes, but in the broader question they seek to address: how can Pakistan ensure that a student’s talent and determination, rather than family income or geographical disadvantage, determine the opportunities available to them?

A record of investing in education

During his two tenures as Chief Minister of Punjab, Shehbaz Sharif introduced several initiatives aimed at expanding educational opportunities and supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The establishment of Daanish Schools was an important part of this effort. Designed to provide quality education to children from underprivileged families, these institutions sought to give talented students access to educational facilities that might otherwise have remained beyond their reach. The underlying principle was straightforward: a child’s circumstances should not determine the quality of education they receive or limit their ambitions.

The Punjab Educational Endowment Fund (PEEF) provided another avenue for supporting talented students from low-income families through scholarships. Financial constraints often force capable students to abandon their academic ambitions. Scholarship programmes can help address this challenge by enabling deserving students to continue their education and pursue professional qualifications.

Another notable initiative involved sending high-achieving students, including educational board toppers, to the United Kingdom and other European countries for international exposure. Such opportunities allowed students to experience different educational environments, broaden their horizons and gain confidence in their own potential.

These initiatives reflected an approach that linked educational achievement with social mobility. They also recognised that investing in talented young people can produce benefits extending beyond individual students to their families, communities and the wider economy.

No single programme can resolve all the structural challenges facing Pakistan’s education system. Nevertheless, these initiatives established an important precedent: educational opportunity should extend beyond the privileged sections of society.

The Chromebook scheme: A new chapter in digital education

The launch of the Prime Minister’s Youth Chromebook Scheme represents another step towards expanding educational opportunities through technology.

Under the announced programme, 500,000 Chromebooks are to be distributed among talented students across Pakistan within two years. The initiative aims to help students continue their education remotely, access e-libraries and benefit from digital learning resources.

In today’s world, access to technology increasingly influences the ability to acquire knowledge, develop professional skills and participate in the modern economy. Digital platforms allow students to access educational materials beyond their classrooms and geographical boundaries, while familiarity with technology can help prepare them for a changing employment market.

Addressing the scheme’s launch ceremony, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasised that the devices were being distributed strictly on the basis of merit and hard work. He also recalled how laptops distributed during the COVID-19 pandemic had helped students continue their education and contributed to the professional journeys of young Pakistanis who went on to become doctors and engineers.

The wider significance of the new initiative becomes apparent when considering the experiences of students from different backgrounds.

Syed Shams Raza, a student from Orakzai whose father was martyred, has continued to pursue his education despite personal tragedy. His determination to work hard and become a capable Pakistani reflects the aspirations of countless young people who face difficult circumstances but remain committed to building a better future.

Mahak Sabir, a student from Gilgit-Baltistan associated with a madrasa, represents another dimension of Pakistan’s diverse educational landscape. Her participation highlights the importance of ensuring that opportunities to learn and develop extend across different regions and educational backgrounds.

Their stories illustrate a fundamental reality: talent is present throughout Pakistan, but access to the resources needed to develop that talent remains unequal.

A digital device can help bridge part of this gap by giving students access to educational materials, online resources and opportunities to learn independently. It can also encourage digital literacy, an increasingly important skill for further education and employment.

However, the success of the Chromebook scheme will depend on more than the number of devices distributed. Reliable internet connectivity, electricity, appropriate learning materials, teacher support and digital skills training will all be important in ensuring that students can use the devices effectively.

The government must also ensure transparent selection, equitable access for students in remote areas and a system for measuring educational outcomes. These measures would help establish whether the scheme is delivering lasting benefits rather than simply distributing equipment.

From classrooms to careers

The connection between education and employment is central to Pakistan’s long-term economic prospects.

A young person who gains access to quality education and relevant digital skills has a wider range of potential pathways into higher education, professional employment, entrepreneurship and remote work. For students in underserved areas, online resources can also provide access to learning opportunities that may not be readily available locally.

Pakistan’s expanding digital economy offers opportunities in areas such as software development, information technology, digital marketing, online services and other technology-enabled professions. Access to digital tools at an early stage can help students begin developing the skills required to explore these fields.

Yet technology alone cannot guarantee employment. Digital education initiatives must complement improvements in teaching standards, vocational training, career guidance and the availability of jobs. Students need opportunities to apply their knowledge and translate their qualifications into sustainable livelihoods.

The Chromebook scheme should therefore be viewed as one component of a broader youth development strategy. Its impact will be greatest if access to devices is accompanied by relevant skills programmes, links with employers and opportunities for young people to develop practical experience.

For a country seeking stronger economic growth, investment in its younger generation must ultimately produce measurable improvements in learning, productivity and employment.

A long-standing emphasis on youth empowerment

Having followed Shehbaz Sharif’s political career for approximately 20 years, I have observed education and youth development remain recurring themes in his public priorities.

During our interactions in London, he repeatedly stressed the need to provide young Pakistanis with opportunities to progress. His initiatives in Punjab, including Daanish Schools, scholarship programmes and opportunities for outstanding students to gain international exposure, formed part of that broader emphasis.

Now, through the Prime Minister’s Youth Chromebook Scheme, the focus has expanded further into digital education.

The challenge ahead is to ensure continuity and effective implementation. Education programmes require sustained investment, transparent administration and rigorous evaluation. Their success should be measured not only by the number of institutions established, scholarships awarded or devices distributed, but by the difference they make to students’ lives.

For the Chromebook initiative, this means examining whether students are accessing more learning resources, improving their digital skills, progressing in their education and becoming better prepared for employment.

It also means ensuring that young people from disadvantaged families and remote regions are not left behind because of inadequate infrastructure or limited access to the internet.

Empowering youth is investing in Pakistan’s future

Pakistan has a significant opportunity to turn its young population into a driver of economic growth and national development. Achieving this requires an education system that identifies talent, supports disadvantaged students and equips graduates with the knowledge and skills needed in a competitive world.

The initiatives introduced under Shehbaz Sharif’s leadership, from Daanish Schools and PEEF to the latest Chromebook scheme, reflect different approaches to expanding educational access. Each must be assessed on its implementation and results, but their common objective is to create opportunities for students to advance through education.

The Prime Minister’s Youth Chromebook Scheme offers the prospect of bringing digital learning within the reach of more talented young Pakistanis. For students such as Syed Shams Raza and Mahak Sabir, access to technology can represent an additional opportunity to pursue their ambitions and overcome barriers.

The responsibility now lies with the government and relevant institutions to ensure that this opportunity translates into tangible educational and economic outcomes.

Pakistan’s future depends on the opportunities it creates for its young people today. Empowering them through education, technology and skills is not merely an investment in individual success; it is an investment in the country’s long-term prosperity.