Islamabad, December 17, 2025 — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday announced that Pakistan will send selected students to Europe and China for advanced training in artificial intelligence (AI), as part of the government’s broader strategy to equip youth with modern, globally competitive skills.
The announcement was made while the prime minister addressed a laptop distribution ceremony at the University of Haripur, where he formally inaugurated the Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme. The event was attended by government officials, youth representatives and students who have benefited from the initiative.
PM Shehbaz said students from across Pakistan, including Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, would be selected strictly on merit for international training programmes. He stressed that national development depends on the collective progress of all provinces rather than any single region.
Highlighting the impact of the Laptop Scheme, the prime minister noted that more than one million students have benefited since its launch in 2013. A special documentary screened at the ceremony showcased the programme’s achievements and outlined the government’s 2025 vision focused on youth empowerment through education and technology.
Sharing his long-standing vision, PM Shehbaz recalled similar initiatives undertaken during his tenure as chief minister of Punjab, including sending hundreds of students to China for technical and agricultural training. He said investments in human capital were essential for Pakistan’s sustainable growth.
The prime minister also addressed the country’s economic challenges, underlining the need to develop modern skills in key sectors such as information technology, agriculture and mining. “We have pulled the economy back from the brink of default. Now it is time to accelerate growth, and our youth must lead this transformation with modern skills,” he said.
Responding to local demands, PM Shehbaz announced the establishment of a Daanish School in Haripur with separate campuses for children, a women’s campus at Haripur University, and the construction of the Haripur Bridge to improve access to educational institutions.
Concluding his address, the prime minister urged students to draw inspiration from Allama Iqbal and play a leading role in taking Pakistan forward with unity, confidence and innovation.