Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has inaugurated an ambitious initiative to distribute 500,000 Chromebooks and MiFi devices to high-achieving students throughout Pakistan. This program aims to enhance educational accessibility for students in both public schools and madrassas.

According to Radio Pakistan, the launch event in Islamabad highlighted the government’s commitment to merit-based distribution, ensuring that students receive these tools based solely on academic performance without any bias regarding their economic or educational backgrounds. The Prime Minister emphasized that the initiative will promote digital learning, providing students with access to e-libraries and broader educational resources.

During the ceremony, Prime Minister Sharif mentioned the government’s previous efforts, noting the distribution of 600,000 laptops over the past decade. He underscored the accelerated timeline of the current program, which aims to distribute the Chromebooks within two years. The Prime Minister also expressed appreciation for the support of Rashid Minhas, Chairman of the Tokyo Technology Care Foundation.

In addition to the Chromebook initiative, the government is expanding the Daanish Schools network to deliver quality education and modern facilities to deserving students. Education Minister Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, speaking at the event, highlighted efforts to align Pakistan’s education system with global trends, while stressing the economic benefits of investing in education.

Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, announced that the government will provide high-speed internet connections to 500,000 students, potentially extending digital access to 2.5 million people nationwide. The program reflects the government’s broader vision of empowering youth, a sentiment echoed by Rashid Minhas, who praised the government’s educational initiatives.