ISLAMABAD (Urdu Times) Prime Minister of Pakistan’s Program for the Provision of Chromebooks and MyFi Internet Devices

ISLAMABAD (Urdu Times) Empowering the youth and encouraging the architects of the future are among the Prime Minister’s top priorities. The provision of 500,000 Chromebooks marks a significant step toward expanding access to digital resources.

Another revolutionary milestone has been reached in the history of Pakistan, aimed at equipping the younger generation with modern digital capabilities. During a prestigious ceremony held at the Convention Center in Islamabad, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif officially launched a historic program to provide Chromebooks and MyFi internet devices to 500,000 high-achieving students from public schools and religious seminaries (madaris) across the country. This initiative goes beyond the mere distribution of educational tools; under the slogan “500,000 Chromebooks, 500,000 Dreams,” it represents a transformative step toward laying the foundation for a “Digital Pakistan”—an effort expected to indirectly benefit 2.5 million children.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s “Digital Pakistan” vision is a comprehensive national plan designed to integrate modern information technology into the country’s educational, economic, and administrative systems.

The core efforts and strategic initiatives undertaken as part of this vision are outlined below:

1. Digitally empowering the youth. Chromebooks and MiFi Scheme: Chromebooks and 500,000 MiFi internet devices are being distributed on a merit basis to 500,000 high-achieving students from public schools and religious seminaries (madaris), indirectly benefiting 2.5 million children.

* Provision of Laptops: Hundreds of thousands of laptops have been distributed in a transparent manner to deserving students across the country, enabling them to engage in online education, conduct research, and connect with the global market.

2. Digital Infrastructure and Promotion of 5G; Spectrum Auction and 5G Implementation: Through the largest spectrum auction in Pakistan’s history in March 2026, the telecommunications sector was expanded, and 5G services were officially launched across more than 1,700 sites in 24 major cities.

* Assembly Line in Collaboration with Google: With the support of Google, a local manufacturing and assembly line for Chromebooks has been established in Pakistan, fostering technology production and creating job opportunities within the country.

3. E-Governance and Single Digital ID; National Digital Authority and Commission: Under the ‘Digital Nation Pakistan Act 2025,’ the Pakistan Digital Authority (PDA) has been established, which oversees the national digital master plan. • Unified Digital Identity System: To facilitate citizens, work is underway to consolidate all government services, document verification, banking, healthcare, and other services onto a single platform under a unified digital ID.

4. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Economic Development: • National AI Policy: A National AI Policy has been implemented to enhance transparency and efficiency across the sectors of the economy, customs, ports, and finance through the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

* Growth in IT Exports: The overarching vision is to transition Pakistan from a traditional economy into a modern, knowledge-based economy, thereby driving a record increase in national exports and foreign exchange earnings through the IT industry and the freelance sector.

Merit and Equality:

Intelligence is not bound by wealth or poverty. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s address at the event served as both a beacon of hope for the youth and a reflection of his vision for education. He reiterated the conviction that intelligence, capability, and hard work are not confined to any specific social class, nor are they dependent on one’s financial status—whether wealthy or poor.

Among Pakistan’s underprivileged and deserving families, there exist countless hidden gems—individuals with the potential to astonish the world, provided they are granted the right opportunities. For this initiative, the government has established a selection process rooted entirely in transparency and merit, aiming to dismantle the culture of nepotism and influence, and ensuring that deserving students receive what is rightfully theirs. Under this project, 500,000 Chromebooks, along with bags, books, and internet access, will be provided over the next two years—ensuring that no child is left behind in the pursuit of knowledge due to financial constraints. An Ambitious Target:

A compelling comparison emerged between the past decade and the last two years. The Prime Minister recalled that during previous tenures of the Pakistan Muslim League (N)—under the leadership of Muhammad Nawaz Sharif—600,000 laptops were distributed across the country, including in Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir; however, that process took 10 years to complete. In contrast, the current government, setting a new benchmark for speed and efficiency, has committed to achieving the ambitious target of providing 500,000 Chromebooks within a mere two-year span. Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic, the Prime Minister highlighted how those previously distributed laptops enabled students to pursue online education. Today, those same young individuals are bringing honor to the nation in fields such as medicine, engineering, and other professional sectors.

Inclusion of Religious Seminaries and Underprivileged Regions:

Perhaps the most remarkable and unique aspect of the event was the inclusion of students from religious seminaries (madaris)—alongside those from conventional educational institutions—as equal participants in this digital revolution. When the Prime Minister commended two students on stage—Mahak Sabir, from a religious seminary in Gilgit-Baltistan, and Syed Shams Raza, from the former tribal areas (FATA) who persevered through his educational journey under extremely difficult circumstances following his father’s martyrdom—the entire hall erupted in applause. This integration of religious and secular education will not only strengthen the youth ideologically but also empower them to become dignified contributors to society.Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, highlighted a crucial aspect while shedding light on the project’s technical specifications. He explained that each Chromebook is accompanied by a high-speed MiFi internet device. This single connection will enable five additional children—whether at home or at school—to access the internet. Consequently, this network of 500,000 devices will provide at least 2.5 million children across the country with direct access to global e-libraries, educational portals, and digital knowledge resources.

The ‘Danish Schools’—a source of pride for overseas Pakistanis—are being expanded; 27 new Danish Schools are currently under construction for the most underprivileged and deserving students nationwide. These institutions will offer smart boards, e-libraries, computer labs, and a state-of-the-art educational environment, all entirely free of cost. The initiative aims to ensure that intellectually gifted yet financially disadvantaged children do not fall behind in the race for technological advancement; instead, by acquiring digital skills—beyond traditional textbook-based learning—they can become active contributors to the economy.

While this project aligns with the government’s core priorities, it also serves as a compelling testament to the patriotism of overseas Pakistanis. The Prime Minister extended special gratitude to Rashid Minhas, founder of the Tokyo Care Foundation, and his team, who signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Education to facilitate the donation of these Chromebooks. Furthermore, the scope of the ‘Danish School System’ is being broadened to enhance educational infrastructure throughout the country. Currently, 27 ‘Danish Schools’ are under construction in remote areas of the country. These institutions provide the poorest children with free access to smart boards, e-libraries, accommodation, and world-class instruction—all entirely free of charge.

Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training, Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, stated that Pakistan is taking proactive measures for its youth, keeping in mind evolving educational requirements. He emphasized that to secure a strong global standing and ensure sustained development, it is essential to invest further in the education sector and focus on nurturing the potential of the youth.

It is impossible to disagree with Federal Education Minister Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui’s assertion that investing in education—in alignment with changing global demands—is the key to Pakistan’s survival and prosperity. The salute offered to these promising students by a smart contingent in Islamabad, coupled with the theme song “Five Hundred Thousand Chromebooks, Five Hundred Thousand Dreams,” serves as a declaration of a ‘New Pakistan’—one where the pen, the book, and cutting-edge technology will become the tools of the youth. If this initiative continues to progress with the same pace and transparency, the day is not far when Pakistan will rank among the world’s leading digital economies.

To accelerate the vision of a ‘Digital Pakistan,’ the government is collaborating with overseas Pakistanis and international organizations, such as the Tokyo Care Foundation. Through this strategic partnership, state-of-the-art technical equipment and resources are being integrated into Pakistan’s educational system—paving the way for a major digital revolution in the country without placing any additional burden on the national exchequer. The ultimate objective of this entire vision is to transition Pakistan’s younger generation away from traditional employment models and integrate them into the global digital market. By gaining access to the internet and digital tools, millions of young people across the country can work from home—engaging in fields such as freelancing, software development, and e-commerce—thereby not only transforming their own economic circumstances but also playing a pivotal role in the nation’s economic recovery by generating valuable foreign exchange. During the event, the Prime Minister distributed Chromebooks among high-achieving students.

The Prime Minister stated that it is the fundamental responsibility of any government to provide a conducive environment for nurturing the potential of children and the youth. He emphasized that the government will utilize all available resources to this end, enabling young people to improve their own lives while also contributing effectively to the country’s economy, society, and overall development.

Highlighting the struggles of a student named Syed Shams Raza—who hails from the former tribal areas—the Prime Minister noted that despite the martyrdom of his father and facing extremely difficult circumstances, the young man remained steadfast in his resolve to pursue an education, progress, and serve Pakistan. Commending the student’s courage and determination, the Prime Minister stressed the importance of encouraging and supporting such youth, ensuring that hardships do not become obstacles to their educational future.

The Prime Minister also remarked on the confident demeanor of Mehak Sabir, a student from a religious seminary (madrassa) in Gilgit-Baltistan. He underscored the significance of providing students from religious seminaries—alongside those in public educational institutions—with access to modern technology. He added that the integration of religious and secular education can create further opportunities for students to advance both in their pursuit of knowledge and in their practical lives. A smart contingent from Islamabad presented a salute to the students, while a theme song titled “Five Hundred Thousand Chromebooks, Five Hundred Thousand Dreams” was also presented on the occasion.Empowering the youth and equipping them with state-of-the-art technical resources ranks among the top national priorities of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. A tangible testament to this is the provision of Chromebooks to 500,000 high-achieving students from public schools and religious seminaries (madaris). This initiative serves as a milestone for Pakistan’s education and IT sectors, as it opens the doors to the digital world for children living in the country’s remote and underdeveloped regions. Through this project—which also includes the provision of ‘MyFi’ internet devices—more than 2.5 million children are gaining access to digital educational resources, a development that will play a pivotal role in building a knowledge-based economy. By integrating students from both public schools and religious seminaries into the national mainstream, this merit-based scheme is advancing the vision of a ‘Digital Pakistan.’ It aims to enable Pakistan’s younger generation to become productive and respected participants in the fields of freelancing, e-commerce, and the global IT market. The contribution of Rashid Minhas, founder of the Tokyo Technology Care Foundation, to this initiative stands as an exemplary model of the patriotism and active participation of overseas Pakistanis in the nation’s development. The key contributions made by this foundation toward realizing the Government of Pakistan’s ‘Digital Vision’ are outlined below. Under this mega-project, the Tokyo Care Foundation is providing 500,000 Google Chromebooks—computers that operate on Google’s cloud-based infrastructure—to be distributed over a two-year period among deserving and high-achieving students in government schools and deeni madaris (religious seminaries) across the country. Rashid Minhas, the Foundation’s Chairman and founder, has signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training and the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme. This agreement establishes a robust mechanism to ensure the transparent and merit-based distribution of these devices. To maximize the utility of these technical resources, the Foundation is providing high-quality ‘refurbished’ units—devices that have been professionally inspected, repaired, and restored to full functionality. This approach has proven to be a highly effective, cost-efficient way to deliver state-of-the-art, internet-enabled technology—worth millions of rupees—to students across Pakistan, including those in Kashmir and Gilgit. Elaborating on the Foundation’s vision, Rashid Minhas stated that the objective of this partnership is not merely to turn Pakistani children into ‘consumers’ of information within the digital realm, but to empower them to become ‘creators’—proficient in technology, coding, and freelancing—thereby fostering a sustainable digital revolution in the country. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while expressing special gratitude to this historic foundation and the expatriate community, emphasized that this global collaboration reflects the restored confidence that overseas Pakistanis have placed in the current government’s transparent policies. The provision of 500,000 Chromebooks and MiFi devices to students in public schools and religious seminaries (madaris) is not merely an educational project; it represents a significant, long-term strategic investment in Pakistan’s IT industry and freelancing ecosystem. This initiative will inject a highly capable workforce into Pakistan’s freelance market. Children from marginalized areas and religious seminaries—who previously lacked access to computers and the internet—will now be able to acquire modern skills such as graphic designing, coding, and data science from a young age, enabling them to participate in the global digital market. This, in turn, will facilitate a record increase in the inflow of dollars and remittances into the country. This “digital generation” will serve as a sustainable engine for driving Pakistan’s IT exports into the billions of dollars; indeed, the 2.5 million children who will indirectly benefit through shared MiFi access are poised to emerge as the country’s next generation of software engineers and tech entrepreneurs in the coming years. Furthermore, by permanently bridging the digital divide between private schools in major urban centers and underprivileged communities, this initiative is fostering equitable economic and technological opportunities across the entire nation. The provision of such a large number of Chromebooks, combined with strategic partnerships with global entities like Google, will yield long-term benefits by fostering a local assembly and manufacturing industry for computers and digital devices in Pakistan. This will not only make technology more affordable domestically but will also create millions of new, dignified employment opportunities for the country’s youth. Under the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, the government’s digital youth initiatives—operating within the comprehensive “4Es” framework (Education, Employment, Engagement, and Environment)—are actively working to empower young people both economically and technically. Empowering the youth is a key priority for Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, and the provision of 500,000 Chromebooks represents a significant step toward expanding access to digital resources. A primary objective of the government is to equip Pakistan’s youth—who make up over 50% of the population—with the skills required by the modern market. To this end, a centralized, one-stop digital platform called the “Prime Minister’s Digital Youth Hub” (DYH) has been established. Powered by artificial intelligence tools, the portal currently has millions of registered users, providing them with direct access to job openings, internships, scholarships, and international certifications. In a historic move to enhance access to technology, the government has officially launched an initiative to provide Chromebooks and MiFi internet devices to 500,000 high-achieving students across public schools, colleges, and religious seminaries (madaris).