By Zainab Shafiq 
On International Youth Day in Islamabad, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a landmark educational initiative, PM laptop scheme 2025, that will see 100,000 laptops distributed to high-achieving and deserving students across Pakistan. The Prime Minister said the program will operate on strict merit, ensuring transparency and fairness in selecting beneficiaries. Covering all four provinces, as well as Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the scheme aims to strengthen academic excellence and equip the youth with the tools needed for success in an increasingly digital world.
Speaking to a packed audience, Shehbaz Sharif underlined that Pakistan’s progress depends directly on the education and skills of its youth. “We want to empower our young people not just with degrees but with opportunities to excel,” he said, reaffirming his government’s long-standing commitment to youth development.
Operation Bunyanum Marsoos and Renewed National Spirit
During his speech, the Prime Minister reflected on Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, recalling Pakistan’s victory on May 10 against a numerically stronger and “arrogant” opponent. He described the triumph as a moment that rekindled national pride and urged young Pakistanis to channel this spirit into their education, careers, and innovations.
Shehbaz Sharif also extended warm Independence Day greetings to the nation, highlighting the vital role of minorities and all communities in building Pakistan’s identity and progress. His message carried both celebration and a call to action, that every citizen, especially the youth, has a role in driving the country forward.
Rana Mashhood Khan, Chairman of the PM Youth Programme, also took the stage, reminding the audience that the nation’s first youth policy was launched in 2011 when Shehbaz Sharif was Punjab’s Chief Minister. That policy introduced laptops, scholarships, and soft loans, laying the foundation for the current expansion of educational benefits.
He pointed to the Punjab Educational Endowment Fund (PEEF) evolving into the Pakistan Education Endowment Fund, which now assists talented students nationwide. According to Khan, this is part of a broader mission to remove barriers to higher education and help bright minds flourish.
Honhaar Scholarship Programme
On the provincial level, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif announced the latest phase of the Honhaar Scholarship Programme. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), she revealed that the application portal is open and encouraged students to apply with determination.
Maryam Nawaz reminded applicants that “their dreams are the heartbeat of Punjab’s future.” So far, 80,000 young people have benefited from the program, 50,000 have already received scholarships, and another 30,000 are currently in process.
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