Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the new Daanish School Islamabad on Sunday, 18 October 2026, and said Pakistan cannot become the country Quaid-e-Azam dreamed of until every child gets the same chance to learn. Speaking at the ceremony, the prime minister promised that Daanish Schools will be equipped with modern IT and artificial intelligence labs so that talented children from poor families can compete with students of the most expensive private schools.
Daanish School Islamabad: What Happened at the Ceremony
The inauguration was attended by students, teachers and officials. Several former and current Daanish students shared their stories on stage. One student from Balochistan, who studied at the Daanish School in Dera Ghazi Khan, now works as an officer at Punjab Safe Cities. Students from Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan also spoke, and the prime minister mentioned a girl from Bahawalpur, a girl from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and a boy who became a doctor.
PM Shehbaz Sharif said these young people prove that talent exists in every corner of the country. What is missing, he said, is opportunity.
Key Points from the Prime Minister’s Speech
- Every child, from Karachi to Peshawar and from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Gilgit-Baltistan, must have access to quality education and healthcare.
- Pakistan was created on the promise of justice, merit and equal education opportunities, and that promise is still incomplete.
- Daanish Schools should match, and even beat, the standard of Aitchison College and other elite grammar schools.
- IT and AI laboratories will be set up in the schools to prepare students for the modern job market.
- He questioned why rich children can attend elite schools while equally talented poor children cannot.
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Background of the Daanish Schools Programme
The Daanish Schools system was started in Punjab in 2010, when Shehbaz Sharif was chief minister. The aim was simple: give bright children from low-income and underprivileged families an education equal to elite institutions, with free boarding, meals, uniforms and books. The first campuses were built in rural and backward districts of Punjab.
Over the years, graduates have become doctors, engineers, police officers, civil servants, managers and teachers. The programme has now moved beyond Punjab, with schools planned in Balochistan and Azad Kashmir, and the federal development committee has also cleared new Daanish School projects.
Why This Matters for Teachers and Parents
For parents in Islamabad and nearby areas, the new campus means a real chance of free quality education Pakistan-wide families have long asked for, especially for children whose parents cannot afford private school fees. Admission in Daanish Schools is usually merit-based, through an entry test, and a large share of seats is reserved for children from poor and orphan families.
For teachers, every new campus also brings jobs. Daanish Schools hire subject specialists, junior teachers, house masters and administrative staff, usually through newspaper advertisements and online testing. Teachers who want to work in residential schools should keep their documents ready and follow official announcements.
What the AI Labs Plan Could Mean
The promise of IT and AI labs is important. If it is delivered, students will learn coding, digital skills and problem-solving from an early age. This will also increase demand for computer science teachers who can teach these subjects with confidence.
Education experts say the real test of the Daanish School Islamabad will be the quality of its teachers and the fairness of its admission system. Residential schools need trained staff who can guide children both inside and outside the classroom. If merit is protected and teachers get proper training, the new campus can become a model for other federal schools. Experts also suggest that the government should publish yearly results of Daanish students so the public can judge how well the programme is working.
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What Happens Next
The government is expected to share details about admissions, the entry test schedule and staffing for the Islamabad campus in the coming weeks. Parents should only trust official notices and avoid agents who ask for money in the name of admission. You can read the full report in The Express Tribune.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Daanish School Islamabad inaugurated?
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated it on Sunday, 18 October 2026.
Who can get admission in Daanish Schools?
Talented children from low-income and underprivileged families, usually selected through a merit-based entry test.
Is education free in Daanish Schools?
Yes. Deserving students get free education along with boarding and other facilities.
Will Daanish Schools have AI labs?
The prime minister has announced that IT and AI labs will be set up in these schools.