Students across country to get 500,000 Chromebooks over 2 years, announces PM Shehbaz

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif revealed on Sunday that the Pakistani government will distribute 500,000 Chromebooks to students across the country over the course of two years. Addressing the launch of the Prime Minister’s Youth Chromebook Scheme in Islamabad, the premier emphasized the state’s collective responsibility to equip the youth with modern technology, enabling them to become "the great builders of Pakistan."

Stating that "our boys and girls" are the nation’s true assets, Shehbaz highlighted the Chromebooks would be distributed based on the youth’s hard work and ability. He expressed hope that the devices would allow students to attend classes remotely and contribute to becoming among the most educated people in the world. The prime minister recalled that previous PML-N governments had distributed 600,000 laptops within a decade, yet he pledged to distribute 500,000 Chromebooks within two years.

Shehbaz assured that these devices would empower the youth with intelligence and skills, emphasizing that poverty should not limit one’s potential. He recalled the recent inauguration of a Daanish School in Islamabad and reiterated that education should be a government’s top priority, warranting the provision of all necessary resources.

The prime minister also confirmed that the Chromebook facility extended to students of religious seminaries, a practice that had occurred in the past. He emphasized that the 500,000 Chromebooks would be distributed based solely on the youth’s ability. Asserting the value of education, Shehbaz stated that these devices would facilitate further education and future employment opportunities.

In August, Shehbaz had announced that 250,000 high-achieving students would be awarded Chromebook laptops that year. Last year, Pakistan inaugurated its first Google Chromebook assembly line, hailed as a historic milestone for creating jobs, establishing a supply chain, driving development, and fostering future tech exports, according to Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar.