PM Shehbaz Launches Chromebook Scheme for 500,000 Students

Government to Distribute 500,000 Chromebooks to Deserving Students in Two Years

ISLAMABAD, October 25, 2026 (Timeline News): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has launched a nationwide Chromebook distribution programme aimed at providing 500,000 students with modern digital learning tools and MiFi internet connectivity, reaffirming the government’s commitment to youth empowerment and merit-based education.

Speaking at the launch ceremony on Sunday, the prime minister said access to modern technology and quality education was essential for building a prosperous Pakistan. He stressed that financial hardship should not prevent talented students from pursuing higher education and competing at the international level.

Under the initiative, Chromebooks will be distributed among deserving students and high achievers over the next two years. The programme will benefit students from different educational backgrounds, including mainstream educational institutions and religious seminaries, with selection based on merit, talent and hard work.

Shehbaz Sharif recalled that previous Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) governments, led by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, had distributed approximately 600,000 laptops across the country over the past decade through merit-based schemes.

He said digital devices had proved particularly valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling students to continue their education and helping many people maintain their livelihoods during a challenging period.

Chromebook Scheme to Benefit Millions Through Internet Connectivity

The prime minister highlighted that the Chromebooks’ MiFi connectivity feature would extend the programme’s benefits beyond individual students. According to officials at the ceremony, the initiative is expected to benefit approximately 2.5 million family members through improved access to internet services.

He thanked Tokyo Technology and the Care Foundation for supporting the initiative, describing partnerships between the government and private-sector organisations as important to expanding educational opportunities.

The programme aims to help students access digital libraries, educational resources and online learning platforms, strengthening their ability to participate in an increasingly technology-driven global economy.

Government Expands Educational Infrastructure

The prime minister also highlighted the government’s efforts to improve educational facilities across Pakistan. He referred to the recent inauguration of a Daanish School in Islamabad and said 27 additional campuses were under construction nationwide.

The institutions are intended to provide modern facilities and quality curricula, creating better learning opportunities for students from underserved communities.

To demonstrate the importance of merit-based support, Shehbaz Sharif shared the stories of high-achieving students who had overcome difficult circumstances.

Among them was Syed Shams Raza, an orphanage resident whose father embraced martyrdom, and Alma Mahak Sabir, a dedicated student from a madrassah. Their achievements, he said, reflected the potential of young Pakistanis when they receive opportunities to succeed.

The prime minister subsequently distributed Chromebooks among selected students. Shams Raza and Alma Mahak Sabir also addressed the gathering, expressing gratitude for the recognition of their hard work.

Education Minister Calls Youth Pakistan’s Greatest Asset

Federal Minister for Federal Education Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui said Pakistan needed to adapt to changing educational trends to strengthen its international standing.

He stressed that transforming the country’s approximately 150 million young people into a productive national asset was essential for sustainable development. Effective education, digital skills and access to technology, he added, could help turn the country’s large youth population into a driver of economic growth.

Rashid Minhas, chairman of Tokyo Technology Care Foundation (TTC), highlighted the partnership with the government, saying the agreement was designed to empower students to become creators in the digital world and contribute to a broader digital transformation.

Meanwhile, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, praised the prime minister’s focus on identifying and supporting young talent, including through cooperation with Pakistan’s overseas community.

He described the Chromebook initiative as an important step towards modernising education and said growing international confidence in Pakistan offered young people opportunities to excel in innovation and technology.

The ceremony was attended by federal ministers, parliamentarians, the speaker of the Punjab Assembly, educationists, university vice chancellors, ambassadors and foreign guests.

The initiative is expected to strengthen digital access for deserving students and support the government’s broader efforts to improve educational inclusion and prepare Pakistan’s youth for future opportunities.