PM Shehbaz announces 500,000 Chromebooks for students across Pakistan

Government plans nationwide Chromebook distribution

The prime minister announced the plan at the launch ceremony of the Prime Minister’s Youth Chromebook Scheme in Islamabad. He said the government wanted to give young people access to modern technology so they could improve their education and skills.

Shehbaz described supporting young people as the state’s “collective responsibility”. He said, “Our boys and girls [..] are the true assets of Pakistan,” and added that the devices would be awarded based on students’ hard work and ability.

The prime minister said the Chromebooks could help students attend classes remotely and continue their studies. He expressed hope that the devices would help young people gain more knowledge and improve their future opportunities.

Scheme aims to support students from all backgrounds

Shehbaz recalled that previous Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) governments had distributed 600,000 laptops over a decade. He said the new target was to provide 500,000 Chromebooks within just two years.

“These wonderful instruments will be in your hands so that you are not lagging in intelligence and skills,” he said. He stressed that poverty should not prevent talented students from developing their abilities and gaining modern skills.

The prime minister also referred to the recent opening of a Daanish School in Islamabad and said education “should be the priority of any government”. He added, “For the development of the nation’s children, all the resources should be provided,”

Religious seminaries also included

Shehbaz clarified that students studying at religious seminaries would also be eligible for the scheme, as they had been included in earlier laptop distribution programmes. He said, “In the past, we had given laptops to the students of prominent seminaries along with universities and colleges”, and added that the 500,000 Chromebooks would be distributed on the basis of the youth’s “ability and ability alone”.

The prime minister said the devices could help students continue their education and find jobs in the future. He also said, “Education is a jewel; regardless of where you are from, it will always make you distinguished in society,”

In August, Shehbaz had announced that 250,000 high-achieving students would receive Chromebook laptops during the year. Pakistan also launched its first Google Chromebook assembly line last year, which officials said could help improve access to digital devices and support local economic activity.

Digital learning and future opportunities

The Chromebook scheme is part of the government’s stated effort to expand students’ access to technology. At the launch of the local assembly line, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said the project could support jobs, supply chains, development and future technology exports.

Providing devices may help students access online lessons, educational materials and digital skills training. However, the programme’s impact will also depend on fair distribution, reliable internet access and students’ ability to use the devices effectively.

The scheme could help more students use digital tools for learning and prepare for future jobs. Its success will depend on reaching eligible students fairly and ensuring they have the internet access and support needed to benefit from the Chromebooks.

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