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PESHAWAR, Oct 31 (APP):When Ehtisham Qaiser, a postgraduate student at the University of Peshawar, used to spend long hours in crowded internet cafés to complete his research, he never imagined that a small device of laptop could change his life.
“Now I can work from home, save money, and finish my studies faster,” he said, a wide smile lighting up his face as he held his new laptop that is a gift under the landmark Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Scheme 2025.
“This is not just a gadget but it’s a bridge to a new world of opportunity, education and economic empowerment of youth,” he reiterated with great smile on face.
Across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa including erstwhile Fata, similar scenes of joy and gratitude are unfolding as hundreds of thousands of students started receiving laptops under the fourth phase of the Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Scheme 2025, launched by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif the other day in Islamabad.
From the sprawling campus of the University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar to the serene valleys surrounding the University of Malakand, from Gomal University DI Khan to lush green University of Chitral, the students are celebrating laptop scheme what many call a lifeline for education in Pakistan’s digital age.
Muhammad Saad, a student from Charsadda enrolled at the Agriculture University Peshawar, said that the laptop has done much needed support in his studies and also helped him earn for fulfillment of education expanses.
“I am now teaching F.Sc. students online,” he said proudly. “It’s empowering to be both a learner and a teacher. The previous laptop I received under PM laptop scheme changed my life; this phase continues that journey.”
University professors also see the initiative as a long-term investment in national development.
Professor Dr. Muhammad Naeem of Swabi University described the scheme as a continuation of the Prime Minister’s long-standing vision for youth empowerment.
“This programme reflects a strong commitment to education and technology,” he said. “It encourages students to explore fields like Artificial Intelligence, engineering, agriculture, architecture, fine arts, computer science, and information technology, which are areas that are shaping Pakistan’s future.”
For many students in remote regions such as erstwhile Fata, the laptop scheme represents inclusion in a digital bridge connecting them to the world.
Ali Jan Afridi, a student from FATA University, shared how receiving a laptop on merit restored his confidence and enhance his prestige.
“This programme gave me dignity and hope,” he said. “It shows that talent matters, not where you come from.”
Students from entire KP region made similar sentiments, describing the scheme as a lifeline for those struggling with limited educational infrastructure and financial resources.
“Laptops have become instruments of change,” said Tasawar Hussain of Agriculture University Peshawar. “They connect us with knowledge, innovation, and the global academic community.”
The Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Scheme, first launched in 2010, has since distributed more than 100,000 laptops nationwide on merit, with an investment of over Rs 40–50 billion.
The government has pledged Rs 500 billion for youth education, skills training, and empowerment which is a move officials describe as an investment in Pakistan’s destiny.
Hamza Khan, President of PML-N Nowshera, said the scheme is not about politics but investment on the country’s youth irrespective of their political affiliation.
“This programme is not for personal glory,” he remarked. “It’s for the young citizens who will shape Pakistan’s future.”
He said PMLN believed in practical work while our political opponents concentrate merely on slogans and negative rhetoric.
The government has also announced collaboration with Saudi Arabia to train Pakistani youth in Artificial Intelligence, IT, and advanced technical fields which is a part of broader efforts to prepare a skilled workforce for the global economy.
Beyond the celebrations, the initiative symbolizes something deeper such as a belief that education, technology, and merit can drive national progress.
“The laptop is not just a tool,” said Professor Naeem. “It’s a message that the government trusts its youth to build the Pakistan envisioned by Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal.”
As the sun set over Peshawar’s historic skyline, students logged into their new devices not merely as recipients of a government scheme, but as participants in Pakistan’s evolving digital story.
“I dedicate my success to my parents and to this opportunity,” said Ali Afridi softly. “With this laptop, I am not just studying. I am dreaming bigger to serve Pakistan.”