Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif officially launched the fourth phase of the Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Scheme 2025, calling it “a historic day in Pakistan’s journey of youth empowerment.” The initiative aims to strengthen education, technology, and skills development across the nation.
The launch ceremony in Islamabad brought together Chairman PMYP Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, government officials, students, and alumni from previous phases. The event highlighted success stories of young Pakistanis whose education and careers were transformed through earlier distributions
ISLAMABAD — Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif officially launched the fourth phase of the Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Scheme 2025 on Thursday, October 31, marking what he described as “a historic day in Pakistan’s journey of youth empowerment” with a renewed commitment to investing in education, technology, and skills development for the nation’s youth13.
The ceremony, held in Islamabad, brought together Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, senior government officials, students, and alumni from previous phases of the laptop distribution initiative3. The event celebrated the launch with testimonials from students across Pakistan who shared how the scheme transformed their educational and professional trajectories1.
A Legacy of Youth Investment
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Sharif emphasized that the laptop scheme represents a continuation of his vision first launched in 2010 when he served as Chief Minister of Punjab. The initiative was designed to promote education, fine arts, culture, sports, and information technology among young Pakistanis3.
“Not a single penny was cut from the youth’s development funds because education and empowerment are our top priorities,” the Prime Minister recalled, referencing periods when Pakistan faced natural calamities including devastating floods13.
Since its inception in 2011, the program has distributed laptops purely on merit, with an investment of Rs 40-50 billion13. Under the current phase, 100,000 laptops will be awarded to talented students enrolled in public sector higher education institutes across Pakistan, including Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan14.
Merit-Based Distribution and National Coverage
The Prime Minister stressed that the distribution process maintains strict adherence to merit-based selection. “This is an examination of merit, of hard work, of day and night dedication,” he stated, adding that 100 percent of laptops are being distributed across Pakistan based purely on academic achievement1.
Students from Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan are eligible to receive laptops through the transparent online system17. The program specifically reached underserved regions, with the Prime Minister praising talented youth from Balochistan and emphasizing equal opportunities regardless of background or region1.
Several students shared emotional testimonials during the ceremony. A student from Balochistan expressed that receiving the laptop felt “like a miracle” as she had never believed merit-based opportunities existed in Pakistan. “This laptop is not just for educational purposes; it helped me complete my internship, research, and learn skills like graphic designing. It made me financially independent,” she stated1.
Rs 500 Billion Commitment to Youth Development
In a significant policy announcement, Prime Minister Sharif revealed that his government is allocating Rs 500 billion for youth education, skills, and empowerment initiatives, describing it as “an investment in the nation’s destiny”3. “If 50 billion rupees have been spent, what about it? Even if 500 billion rupees are spent to educate you, to develop your skills, and to make you great Pakistanis, it will not be too much,” he declared1.
The Prime Minister unveiled the new program logo bearing the slogan “Youth of Pakistan: Making Pakistan Great,” which he said reflects the spirit of national pride and merit that drives the initiative3. “This programme is not for personal glory, but for our young citizens who are the future architects of Pakistan,” he emphasized13.
Strategic Partnership with Saudi Arabia
A major highlight of the Prime Minister’s address was the announcement of Pakistan’s collaboration with Saudi Arabia to provide advanced training in Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology, and modern trades for Pakistani youth315.
“Saudi Arabia is building its future and hosting the 2030 International Exhibition and the FIFA World Cup 2034. They need millions of skilled workers, and Pakistan’s youth will be their partners in progress,” Prime Minister Sharif explained315. He revealed that during his recent visit to Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom offered free AI and IT training for Pakistani youth using their state-of-the-art facilities15.
“Our setup in Saudi Arabia is free for the sons and daughters of Pakistan, God willing. You bring them, we will train them,” the Prime Minister quoted Saudi officials as saying15. He expressed deep gratitude to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for extending an economic package and offering these training opportunities3.
Pakistan’s Technological Ambitions
Prime Minister Sharif positioned the laptop scheme within Pakistan’s broader technological ambitions, stating that Pakistan is among the few countries formulating comprehensive policies for Artificial Intelligence and entering semiconductor manufacturing316.
“Today, we have moved beyond just laptops. Today, AI, IT, and modern techniques and technologies are the focus,” he stated, highlighting Pakistan’s National Semiconductor Plan which aims to train 1,000 semiconductor engineers by 2030 through specialized education clusters116.
The draft National Semiconductor Policy includes a Rs 10 billion National Semiconductor Fund offering soft loans, grants, and venture capital for startups, along with tax rebates, duty exemptions, and infrastructure support for companies in Special Technology Zones1619.
Student Success Stories
The ceremony featured powerful testimonials from laptop recipients whose lives were transformed by the program. Muhammad Rafiq Afridi, son of a shaheed (martyr), spoke about receiving his laptop on merit from Air University1. A female student from Multan pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management expressed disbelief at standing before the Prime Minister: “I never believed that merit-based opportunities existed in Pakistan, but today I believe it when I’m standing here”1.
Twin sisters from the University of Engineering and Technology Taxila, both of whom won laptops on merit, represented the program’s reach across talented students1. A student working as a credit officer at a private bank in Islamabad emphasized: “This laptop wasn’t given to me on political grounds but purely on merit. If I hadn’t received this laptop, many opportunities that came my way would never have materialized”1.
Program Structure and Implementation
The Youth Laptop Scheme operates under the Higher Education Commission (HEC) through a transparent online application system at www.pmyp.gov.pk47. The current Phase IV application deadline has been extended to June 1, 2025, allowing eligible students from public sector universities additional time to register7.
Students from affiliated colleges of public sector universities are not eligible under Phase IV, with applications from such students being automatically rejected7. The program provides dedicated focal persons at each participating university to assist students with the application process7.
Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, who assumed leadership of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme in March 2024, highlighted the program’s historical significance. “When we launched Pakistan’s first Youth Policy in 2010, there were major challenges including floods in Punjab, but the then Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he would not cut a single penny from funds allocated for young people because our youth are Pakistan’s future,” he stated114.
Vision for Digital Pakistan
The Prime Minister concluded by emphasizing the scheme’s role in building a digitally empowered Pakistan. The program aims to support brilliant students in higher education, bridge the digital divide, promote freelancing and IT skills, strengthen Pakistan’s digital economy, and encourage research and innovation1.
“These young men and women, these daughters of Pakistan who will take this laptop forward to make Pakistan great. This is an examination of merit, of effort, of hard work done day and night,” Prime Minister Sharif declared1.
The initiative aligns with Pakistan’s broader digital transformation goals, including expanding IT exports, developing local technology manufacturing capabilities, and positioning the country as a competitive player in the global digital economy. With Saudi Arabia’s partnership for AI training and the semiconductor policy taking shape, the laptop scheme represents a foundational step in equipping Pakistani youth with the tools needed to participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution31516.
The Prime Minister assured students and their families that the government remains committed to continuing and expanding youth empowerment programs. “This scheme will never end. We have full confidence that the Prime Minister will continue to launch such schemes for the youth, Insha’Allah,” he affirmed in response to a student’s request to keep the program running1.
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