Key Takeaways
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launched a scheme to distribute 500,000 Chromebooks to students nationwide.
- The initiative aims to benefit 2.5 million people, including students from religious seminaries.
- The scheme will be implemented over two years and includes MiFi internet connectivity.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif launched a nationwide initiative to distribute 500,000 Chromebooks to students over the next two years, as part of the Prime Minister’s Youth Chromebook Scheme. The scheme, which includes MiFi internet connectivity, aims to provide modern learning tools to deserving students and high achievers.
Addressing the launch ceremony in Islamabad, the prime minister expressed confidence in the scheme’s broad impact, stating that the initiative’s internet connectivity features will extend benefits to family members, ultimately reaching an estimated 2.5 million people.
The prime minister highlighted that the facility is available to students of religious seminaries, noting that previous laptop schemes had also successfully reached prominent religious seminaries. He stressed that the 500,000 Chromebooks will be distributed based on the youth’s ability and ability alone.
PM Shehbaz recalled that the previous PML-N governments distributed 600,000 laptops within a decade; however, he vowed that the government now aimed to distribute 500,000 Chromebooks in the next two years. He said, 'These wonderful instruments will be in your hands so that you are not lagging in intelligence and skills.'
The prime minister expressed gratitude to Tokyo Technology Care Foundation (TTCF) for partnering in the Chromebook initiative. He stressed that empowering the nation’s youth with modern tools was vital to helping them compete globally.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif particularly highlighted the inclusion of seminary students in the scheme. Dar said, 'Including madrasa students marks a historic national consensus that every child deserves the tools of the modern world.' Asif stated that 'madressah students were kept away from the mainstream for years.'
The scheme is part of the government’s broader commitment to ensuring equal educational opportunities for all talented students, including those studying in religious seminaries. The initiative aims to enable students to continue their education through digital learning, access e-libraries, and explore opportunities for acquiring knowledge.
Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said the government is taking effective steps to align the country’s education system with changing global trends. He emphasised that investment in education directly builds the economy and secures the nation’s future.
The event was attended by ministers, parliamentarians, the Punjab Assembly speaker, educationists, vice chancellors, ambassadors, and foreign guests. The distribution of Chromebooks and MiFi devices among talented students was a key part of the ceremony.
These wonderful instruments will be in your hands so that you are not lagging in intelligence and skills.
PM Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan
Including madrasa students marks a historic national consensus that every child deserves the tools of the modern world.
Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan
