Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday unveiled Pakistan’s first-ever National Youth Policy, announcing a series of initiatives focused on education, employment, entrepreneurship and digital skills for the country’s young population. Speaking at an International Youth Day ceremony in Islamabad, the prime minister announced a 35% quota for women in the labour force and a 10% quota for young people seeking to establish startups. Prime Minister Shehbaz said that 700,000 laptops have already been distributed on merit, without recommendations. Prime Minister Shehbaz also announced that Daanish University Islamabad is expected to become operational next year, with classes scheduled to begin during the same year. The first National Youth Policy places education, technology, entrepreneurship, digital access and equal opportunity at the centre of the government’s youth development agenda.