The government has decided to relaunch the laptop scheme for university students with a budget of ten billion rupees.
Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal stated this while speaking at an event in Islamabad. According to the Minister, under this scheme, 100,000 laptops will be distributed to students based on merit in order to digitally empower them.
According to Ahsan Iqbal, the National Bank of Pakistan was also asked to make?laptop leasing products so that every university student can afford a laptop.
Given the size of its young population, Pakistan, according to the Minister for Planning and Development, can turn information technology into a competitive advantage.
In addition, Ms Shaza Fatima, Special Assistant to the PM?for Youth Affairs, stated last month at the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) closing ceremony that the Prime Minister’s laptop scheme has been revived with the goal of providing job opportunities to the youth as well as providing and promoting entrepreneurship in the country.
She praised the RCCI for its efforts to promote entrepreneurship in the territory and asked Rawalpindi Chamber to be a mentorship partner. She also stated that details about the student loan scheme would be shared with the Chamber. The government aimed to provide loans to more than 50 million youth between the ages of 15 and 29 through the programme. On loans up to Rs500,000, there would be no interest or collateral.
“This year, 100,000 high achievers will receive laptop computers. Women will be given 50% of the seats, and transgender people will be accommodated as well.”
She stated that it is worrisome that the unemployment rate is 4.5 percent, while the graduate unemployment rate is 35 percent, which is concerning. The government is implementing structural changes in the education system that will place a greater emphasis on skills.