What happened

According to Dawn, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a nationwide initiative to distribute 500,000 Chromebook laptops to students over a two-year period. He made the announcement on Sunday during the launch ceremony of the Prime Minister’s Youth Chromebook Scheme held in Islamabad. In his address, the prime minister framed the provision of digital tools to young people as a primary duty and collective responsibility of the state, describing students as essential assets for the country's development.

Key facts

  • The program will distribute 500,000 devices nationwide over two years, selecting recipients strictly on the basis of hard work and individual ability.
  • Students attending universities, colleges, and religious seminaries are eligible to receive the Chromebooks.
  • Exact application procedures and submission dates were not provided in the report (Not specified in the source; please check the official notice).
  • By comparison, past PML-N governments distributed 600,000 laptops over a ten-year timeframe.
  • In August, during International Youth Day, the prime minister had previously stated that 250,000 high-achieving students would receive Chromebook laptops during the current year.
  • The announcement follows the establishment of Pakistan's first Google Chromebook assembly line last year, an initiative Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar stated would create employment, strengthen local supply chains, and build a foundation for future technology exports.

Why it matters

According to Dawn, the initiative seeks to ensure that poverty does not restrict access to education and technological skills. The prime minister stated that the laptops will enable students to participate in remote learning, advance their academic qualifications, and improve their prospects for future employment. He emphasized that education must remain a top government priority, citing the recent opening of a Daanish School in Islamabad as another part of efforts to support the nation's youth.

📰 Read the Original Report

Source: Dawn - Home · Published October 25, 2026 · Photo by Croydon Clicker via Openverse