Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed his commitment to empowering the youth, declaring them the true driving force behind Pakistan’s progress.

“Only by providing opportunities to our young generation can we reclaim our rightful place in the world,” he said.

Addressing the send-off ceremony of the first batch of 300 students picked for agricultural training in China, the Prime Minister highlighted the vision of the government to invest in future leaders. These students belong to a pool of 1,000 agricultural graduates chosen to acquire hands-on experience and expertise in advanced methods of farming.

Shehbaz Sharif acknowledged that many of Pakistan’s educational institutes were sidelined due to political interference in the past, but now the focus is on reviving them as hubs of innovation and national development. “China is our most trusted friend,” he said, “and under the guidance of President Xi Jinping, we are sending our best and brightest to learn from their agricultural success.”

Encouraging the students, the Prime Minister urged them to return after training and launch entrepreneurial ventures in rural areas. He promised government-backed support in the form of subsidised loans and agricultural incentives to help them succeed. “Our goal is to boost productivity and increase agricultural exports,” he added.

The programme includes students from all four provinces, as well as Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, and was finalised strictly on merit.

PM Shehbaz concluded by thanking the Chinese government, expressing hope that these graduates would not only learn but also become agents of change by applying China’s agricultural advancements back home.