ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formally launched the fourth phase of the Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Scheme, aiming to distribute 100,000 laptops among bright and deserving students studying in public-sector universities and higher education institutions across Pakistan.
The initiative, part of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, seeks to bridge the digital divide and promote innovation among young scholars by giving them access to modern technology. Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, said the scheme is a key step toward building a digitally skilled generation capable of driving Pakistan’s knowledge-based economy.
The distribution ceremony for the laptops will take place at the Jinnah Convention Centre, Islamabad, where high-performing students from various universities will be recognised. According to officials, applications for the programme are being accepted through the Digital Youth Hub portal, and priority will be given to students with strong academic records and those from financially challenged backgrounds.
Launched originally in 2013, the Youth Laptop Scheme has already benefited thousands of students across the country. The government hopes this new phase will strengthen access to technology for youth in both urban and rural areas, promoting digital inclusion, research, and online learning opportunities.
Analysts, however, stress that transparency, fair selection, and timely laptop distribution will be crucial for the programme’s credibility and long-term success.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.