LAHORE: The Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, approved on Friday the revival of the laptop scheme after a seven-year pause.
The decision came during a meeting chaired by CM Maryam to discuss reforms in the higher education sector, including the provision of laptops and transportation for students.
During the meeting, it was noted that over 0.65 million students were enrolled in private and public universities in Punjab, with 44% being boys and 56% being girls.
Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Provincial Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat, Information Minister Azma Zahid Bukhari, along with other officials, attended the meeting.
The re-launch of the laptop scheme was previously announced by then-Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Shaza Fatima Khawaja on May 26, 2023, under the Prime Minister Youth Programme. Khawaja had stated that 100,000 laptops would be provided to the youth.
CM Maryam also mentioned plans to provide 20,000 electric bikes to students across the province. She highlighted the importance of e-bikes in reducing pollution but acknowledged challenges such as battery theft and low mileage. As a solution, the government decided to offer petrol bikes alongside electric bikes on easy installments.
