I will do everything possible to send young people to Saudi Arabia because it needs thousands of skilled and semi-skilled workers: Shehbaz
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Photo: File
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Saudi Arabia needed thousands of skilled and semi-skilled workers and would do everything possible to send Pakistani youth there to seize new job opportunities.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Program 2025 in Islamabad on Thursday, the Prime Minister said that during his recent visit to Saudi Arabia, he was briefed on the kingdom’s advancements in artificial intelligence and modern technological systems.
“I told them that we had no oil reserves and could not afford such expenses,” Shehbaz recalls. “They responded that all these facilities would be provided free of cost to millions of Pakistanis and students.” He said Pakistani and Saudi officials had already held discussions on the issue and expressed optimism that “good news” would soon follow.
The prime minister thanked Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and praised his Vision 2030, which includes major projects such as a world expo in 2030 and the FIFA World Cup in 2034.
“Sheikh Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 is truly commendable,” Shehbaz said. “Saudi Arabia will need thousands of workers, highly skilled and qualified professionals for these projects, and I will do everything possible to send thousands of young Pakistanis there so that they can make the country proud. »
100,000 laptops to distribute
Sharif announced that under this year’s program, 100,000 laptops would be distributed across the country based solely on their merits. “Since 2011, between 40 and 50 billion rupees have been spent on this program,” he said. “But for education, skills and empowerment of our youth, we would happily spend Rs 500 billion if necessary.”
He said the laptop distribution program, first launched in 2011, faced delays this year due to controversy over a logo reading “Shehbaz Pakistan.” “It was seen as self-promotion,” he said. “I ordered Rana Mashhood and his team to remove it, which caused a delay.”
He added that technology has advanced beyond laptops. “We are in the era of modern technology and artificial intelligence,” the Prime Minister said. “God willing, we will soon equip our children with these tools so that Pakistan can become self-reliant and its future remains bright. »
“I promise that I will dedicate my position and my life to serving students and investing in their future,” he concluded.
