ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formally launched a nationwide initiative to provide 500,000 Chromebooks and internet facilities to talented students enrolled in schools and religious seminaries across Pakistan over the next two years.
Addressing the launch ceremony, the prime minister said the programme aimed to empower talented students by equipping them with modern technology and digital skills, enabling them to compete at the international level.
He stressed that intelligence and talent should not be limited by financial circumstances, adding that providing young people with access to modern technology was a shared responsibility.
Under the initiative, Chromebooks will be distributed strictly on merit, with each selected student also receiving a school bag and an internet device to facilitate digital learning.
PM Shehbaz said the programme would enable students to access online educational resources and electronic libraries from home, expanding their learning opportunities beyond the classroom.
Recalling previous educational initiatives, the prime minister said 600,000 laptops had been distributed among students on merit over the past decade under a programme launched during former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s tenure.
He appreciated the Tokyo Technology Care Foundation for its contribution to the Chromebook initiative and acknowledged overseas Pakistanis for donating towards the education and digital development of young people.
The prime minister described overseas Pakistani youth as an important national asset and future builders of the country.
Highlighting the government’s efforts to improve access to quality education, Shehbaz said Danish Schools provided free education, accommodation and meals, alongside facilities such as smart boards and electronic libraries. He added that 27 Danish Schools were currently under construction across the country.
He said providing students with the necessary resources to develop their abilities and contribute to national progress remained a government priority. Students from religious seminaries had also been included in previous laptop schemes, he added.
The prime minister expressed hope that the Chromebooks would help students pursue higher education, strengthen their digital skills and access dignified employment opportunities.
Referring to the COVID-19 pandemic, he said laptops had played an important role in helping students continue their education and enabling people to pursue employment during challenging circumstances.
Addressing the students, Shehbaz emphasised the importance of education, saying it helped individuals distinguish themselves in society and build a better future.