Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that Saudi Arabia will require thousands of skilled and semi-skilled workers in the coming years, pledging to make every effort to send Pakistani youth to benefit from the kingdom’s growing job market under Vision 2030.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Prime Minister Youth Laptop Scheme 2025 in Islamabad, the premier said his recent visit to Saudi Arabia revealed the kingdom’s remarkable progress in artificial intelligence and modern technology.
He recalled telling Saudi officials that Pakistan lacked oil reserves and could not afford such advanced systems. “They replied that all these facilities will be provided free of cost to millions of Pakistanis and students,” he said, adding that discussions between Pakistani and Saudi officials had already taken place and that “good news” was expected soon.
Thanking Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Shehbaz lauded his Vision 2030, which envisions global events like the Expo 2030 and FIFA World Cup 2034. “Saudi Arabia will need thousands of labourers, trained professionals, and experts for these projects,” he noted. “I will make every possible effort to send thousands of Pakistani youth there so they can make the country proud.”
Turning to domestic initiatives, the prime minister announced that 100,000 laptops would be distributed this year purely on merit. He said that since 2011, between Rs40 and Rs50 billion had been spent on the programme and added, “For the education, skills, and empowerment of our youth, we would gladly spend Rs500 billion if needed.”
Sharif explained that the scheme had been delayed this year over a logo controversy reading “Shehbaz Pakistan.” “It was seen as self-promotion,” he said. “I directed Rana Mashhood and his team to remove it, which caused the delay.”
Emphasizing the importance of technology-driven education, Shehbaz said, “This is the age of artificial intelligence and modern technology. God willing, we will soon equip our children with these tools so Pakistan can become self-reliant and their future remains bright.”
Concluding his address, the prime minister pledged, “I promise to dedicate my position and my life to serving the students and investing in their future.”
