Overview
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif inaugurated the program in Islamabad, opening a 100,000-laptop distribution for high-achieving students on a declared 100% merit basis.
- He said Saudi Arabia has offered free AI and IT training for Pakistani students, with thousands expected to be sent for advanced instruction.
- Officials cited roughly Rs40–50 billion already spent on the laptop scheme and signaled willingness to invest far more to build a skilled generation.
- The scheme, active since 2011, was presented as part of a broader push to equip youth for the digital economy and close the technology access gap.
- Selection methods, timelines, and logistics for the Saudi training initiative were not detailed at the launch event.