Urdu Report Desk
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formally launched the Prime Minister’s Youth Chromebook Scheme, announcing plans to distribute 500,000 Chromebooks among talented students across Pakistan over the next two years on merit.
Addressing the launch ceremony in Islamabad on October 25, 2026, the prime minister said students would be selected on the basis of their academic performance, ability and hard work, without discrimination based on their financial background or educational institution.
Chromebooks, Bags and Internet Devices
Under the initiative, selected students will receive refurbished Chromebooks, carrying bags and MiFi devices to support digital learning. The facilities are intended to help students access e-libraries, continue their education through digital platforms and explore wider opportunities for acquiring knowledge.
Shehbaz Sharif said providing modern technology to students was essential to preparing them to compete at the international level.
Five Hundred Thousand Devices in Two Years
Recalling the distribution of 600,000 laptops to students on merit over the past 10 years, the prime minister said the government aimed to provide 500,000 Chromebooks within just two years.
He stressed that talent and intelligence should not be restricted by poverty or wealth and that every deserving student should have access to educational opportunities.
The prime minister also reiterated the government’s commitment to including students of registered religious seminaries in educational technology initiatives.
Overseas Pakistani Support
Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude to overseas Pakistani Rashid Minhas and praised the Tokyo Technology Care Foundation for supporting the initiative.
He said overseas Pakistanis were contributing to the education of children in the country and helping strengthen their digital skills. He described young Pakistanis living abroad as a valuable national asset and future builders of the country.
Chromebook Scheme Eligibility Criteria
According to the scheme’s eligibility criteria, students will be ranked on the basis of their latest Secondary School Certificate Part-I (SSC-I) results, or Grade 9 scores, verified by the Inter Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC). Applicants must secure at least 50 per cent marks.
Eligible institutions include public and government schools, private schools funded through provincial education foundations, and registered religious seminaries subject to separate verification through the Directorate General of Religious Education.
In Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, selection is based on the performance of Grade 9 students. In Islamabad Capital Territory, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan, high-performing students from both Grade 9 and Grade 10 are eligible.
Regional Distribution of 500,000 Chromebooks
The scheme’s regional allocation is as follows:
- Punjab: 181,090 devices
- Islamabad Capital Territory: 100,000 devices
- Sindh: 85,925 devices
- Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 51,170 devices
- Balochistan: 31,815 devices
- Azad Jammu and Kashmir: 25,000 devices
- Gilgit-Baltistan: 25,000 devices
Under the institutional allocation formula, four out of every five devices in each region will go to regular school students, while one out of every five will be allocated to religious seminary students.
Among regular school students, 70 per cent of the allocated devices will be reserved for science-stream students and 30 per cent for arts-stream students.
Daanish Schools and Educational Facilities
The prime minister said the government was expanding the Daanish Schools network to provide quality education and modern facilities to deserving students without financial burdens.
He highlighted the provision of smart boards, e-libraries, accommodation and meals at Daanish Schools, adding that 27 such schools were under construction across the country.
Shehbaz Sharif said education encouraged innovation and broadened human thinking. He added that providing children with the resources needed to develop their abilities remained a government priority.
Education Investment and Youth Development
Speaking at the ceremony, Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said the government was taking steps to align Pakistan’s education system with changing global trends.
He stressed that investment in education directly strengthened the economy and helped secure the country’s future. He also described Pakistan’s youth population of 150 million as an invaluable national asset rather than a liability.
Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, announced that high-speed internet connections would also be provided to 500,000 students under the initiative.
He said each connection could benefit up to five people, potentially extending digital access to 2.5 million individuals across the country.
Rana Mashhood reiterated that empowering and respecting young people remained central to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s vision.
Chromebooks Distributed at Launch Ceremony
At the ceremony, the prime minister distributed Chromebooks and MiFi devices among talented students, marking the launch of the initiative.
Tokyo Technology Care Foundation Chairman Rashid Minhas said the foundation had signed a memorandum of understanding with the government to help students in schools and religious seminaries expand their access to digital technology.
He also praised government initiatives aimed at promoting education, skills development and employment opportunities for young people.
The scheme is intended to strengthen digital access, support academic achievement and equip students with the technological resources needed to pursue educational opportunities in an increasingly digital world.
