Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has announced the distribution of 100,000 free laptops to talented students across the country, emphasizing that the selection will be based on merit.

According to Radio Pakistan, the announcement was made during an event in Islamabad celebrating International Youth Day. The Prime Minister highlighted that the laptops will be distributed throughout the four provinces, the federal capital Islamabad, Gilgit Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir. He assured that the process would be free from nepotism and strictly merit-based.

Prime Minister Shehbaz also noted that this initiative is separate from the existing laptop scheme, which provides devices through interest-based loans. He referenced the success of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos on May 10, where Pakistan triumphed over a larger adversary, and encouraged the youth to harness this spirit of achievement in their endeavors.

Chairman Prime Minister Youth Program Rana Mashhood, who also spoke at the ceremony, praised the government’s merit-based programs that have enabled talented and deserving youth to succeed. He highlighted significant projects such as the Pakistan Education Endowment scheme, Pakistan Daanish Authority, and the Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme that have supported thousands of students in completing their education.

Minister of State for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Kesoo Mal Khael Das addressed the event as well, acknowledging the vital role that minority communities in Pakistan have played, and continue to play, in the nation’s progress and development.