500,000 Chromebooks to be distributed in two years

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday announced plans to distribute 500,000 Chromebook laptops among

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday announced plans to distribute 500,000 Chromebook laptops among students across Pakistan over the next two years under a new youth empowerment initiative.

The announcement came during the launch ceremony of the Prime Minister’s Youth Chromebook Scheme in Islamabad. The programme aims to provide deserving students and high achievers with digital devices equipped with MiFi internet connectivity to improve their access to education and online learning.

Addressing the ceremony, the prime minister said the initiative would benefit not only students but also their families. With internet access expected to reach an estimated 2.5 million people, the scheme is intended to expand educational opportunities and promote digital inclusion across the country.

Shehbaz stressed that the distribution process would be based on students’ merit, hard work and abilities. He said access to modern technology would help young people continue their education, develop professional skills and improve their employment prospects.

The scheme will also include students enrolled in registered religious seminaries. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif welcomed the decision, saying that one-fifth of the Chromebooks would be allocated to seminary students.

Recalling previous initiatives, the prime minister said PML-N governments had distributed 600,000 laptops over a decade. He added that the current programme aimed to deliver 500,000 Chromebooks within just two years.

Shehbaz said financial circumstances should not prevent talented students from developing their abilities. He emphasised that providing young people with modern technological resources was essential to helping them compete internationally.

He described education as a national priority and called on the government to ensure that children received the resources needed to succeed. Referring to the recent inauguration of a Daanish School in Islamabad, he reiterated his commitment to expanding educational opportunities.

The prime minister also expressed gratitude to the Tokyo Technology Care Foundation (TTCF) for supporting the Chromebook initiative. TTCF Chairman Rashid Minhas said the partnership aimed to help students become active participants in the digital economy and contribute to Pakistan’s technological development.

Education Minister Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said adapting to changing educational trends was necessary to improve Pakistan’s international standing. He stressed that the country’s approximately 150 million young people needed opportunities to become productive contributors to national development.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan praised the initiative, highlighting the importance of recognising young talent and the contribution of overseas Pakistanis to youth development.

In August, Shehbaz had announced that 250,000 high-performing students would receive Chromebook laptops during the year. The newly announced two-year programme sets a target of distributing 500,000 devices nationwide.