CM Punjab laptop scheme deadline extended
Punjab government extends application deadline for the CM Punjab laptop scheme, giving thousands of students more time to apply amid strong demand.
The CM Punjab laptop scheme deadline has been extended by the Government of Punjab to accommodate a surge in student applications across the province. Officials said the move aims to ensure maximum participation from eligible candidates enrolled in public sector institutions.
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Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz approved the extension after reviewing application data and institutional feedback. The scheme targets high-achieving students from public universities and colleges. It forms part of the provincial government’s broader digital inclusion strategy.
The new deadline will allow thousands of additional students to complete documentation and verification. Authorities said technical delays and late issuance of transcripts had slowed some applications. The extension addresses those procedural bottlenecks.
The laptop scheme is a flagship youth initiative of the Punjab administration. It seeks to bridge the digital divide in higher education. Officials argue that access to personal computing devices improves academic research and remote learning outcomes.
Punjab remains Pakistan’s largest province by population. It hosts over 70 public sector universities and degree-awarding institutes. According to the Higher Education Commission’s latest data, more than 1.5 million students are enrolled in tertiary education nationwide. A significant share belongs to Punjab.
The provincial Higher Education Department Punjab oversees implementation of the scheme. It coordinates with universities to verify merit lists and enrollment status. Officials said strict eligibility criteria will apply to prevent misuse.
Earlier laptop distribution drives in Punjab date back over a decade. Previous programs were launched between 2011 and 2018. Those initiatives distributed hundreds of thousands of devices to students in public institutions. Analysts say such programs boosted digital literacy but also raised fiscal sustainability questions.
Punjab’s 2024–25 budget allocated billions of rupees for youth development initiatives. The provincial finance documents emphasized education and skills training as growth drivers. Education spending accounts for a substantial portion of Punjab’s annual development program.
Pakistan’s broader digital penetration has expanded in recent years. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority reported over 130 million broadband subscribers in 2024. Smartphone penetration continues to rise steadily. However, laptop ownership among low-income households remains limited.