Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has unveiled Pakistan’s first-ever National Youth Employment Policy, promising to create one million jobs for young Pakistanis within three years and set aside Rs 50 billion for skills training and wage subsidies. The policy, announced in Islamabad on 12 June 2026, is the government’s most direct response yet to Pakistan’s youth unemployment crisis, which the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics estimates at 11.1% for ages 15–29.

What the policy promises — key facts

- 1 million jobs to be created within 36 months, with at least 500,000 in the first year.
- Rs 50 billion allocated for skills training vouchers, wage subsidies to employers, and self-employment grants.
- Priority sectors: IT, construction, healthcare, green energy, and agro-processing.
- Eligibility: Pakistani citizens aged 18–35 with at least intermediate (FA/FSc) or equivalent technical diploma.
- Application portal: youth.gov.pk/employment (live from 20 June 2026).
- Deadline for first batch: 31 August 2026.

How it will work — step by step

Young applicants must register on the youth employment portal (youth.gov.pk/employment) and complete a skills assessment. Those scoring above the cut-off will receive a training voucher worth up to Rs 30,000 for approved courses in high-demand fields like software development, solar panel installation, nursing, and CNC machining.

Employers hiring through the scheme will get a wage subsidy of Rs 15,000 per month for 12 months per new young hire, capped at Rs 180,000 per employee. The subsidy will be paid directly to the employer’s bank account within 30 days of verification.

For those who want to start their own business, the policy offers self-employment grants of up to Rs 500,000 at 0% markup, repayable over five years, with a six-month grace period.

Who qualifies — and who doesn’t

- Yes: Pakistani citizens aged 18–35 with FA/FSc or equivalent technical diploma.
- No: Those already employed in the formal sector, government employees, or those with a bachelor’s degree in arts/humanities unless they complete a bridging course in a priority sector.
- Reserved: 30% of all benefits are ring-fenced for women, 10% for persons with disabilities, and 5% for transgender persons.

Why this matters now

Pakistan has 64 million young people under 30, but only 2.8 million formal jobs were created in the last five years, according to the Planning Commission. Youth unemployment costs the economy Rs 1.2 trillion annually in lost output, says the State Bank of Pakistan. The new policy is part of Shehbaz Sharif’s broader ‘Youth First’ agenda, which also includes a Rs 20 billion student loan scheme launched in April 2026.

Critics question whether the Rs 50 billion fund is enough for a million jobs. Finance Minister Ishaq Dar told reporters the government will leverage public-private partnerships and multilateral funding (World Bank, ADB) to stretch the budget further.

What you should do today

1. Check eligibility at youth.gov.pk/employment — you’ll need your CNIC, education certificate, and a passport-sized photo.
2. Take the skills quiz — it takes 10 minutes and determines your voucher amount.
3. Apply for training — courses start rolling out in July 2026 in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Peshawar, and Quetta.
4. If you’re an employer, register your company on the portal and upload job openings. Subsidies begin after the first hire is verified.

What to watch next

- First training batches begin on 15 July 2026 in Lahore and Karachi.
- Wage subsidies will be paid from 1 September 2026 after the first verification cycle.
- Self-employment grants open for applications on 1 October 2026.
- Mid-term review scheduled for December 2027 to assess job creation progress.

The portal (youth.gov.pk/employment) will go live on 20 June 2026. For now, a helpline (0800-12345) is active 9am–5pm daily to answer questions.

Bottom line

This is the first time a Pakistani government has put a hard number on youth jobs and backed it with real cash. Whether it hits the target depends on how fast the portal works, how many employers sign up, and whether the Rs 50 billion stretches far enough. If even half the promised jobs materialise, it will be the biggest single boost to youth employment since the 1970s.

For young Pakistanis staring at unemployment or underemployment, the portal is the only door in. Don’t wait for the last date — the first slots will fill up fast.