Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif interacts with a recipient of the Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme in Haripur. Photo: APP
HARIPUR:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday while inaugurating the Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme 2025 distribution in Khyber-Pakhtunnkhwa called that his initiative was not only providing laptops to students but rather creating an ecosystem where the youth can unleash their potential and much deservedly achieve excellence.
The Prime Minister inaugurated the much-awaited Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme at a ceremony held at the University of Haripur, attended by government officials, youth leaders and a number of beneficiaries, all of whom expressed their gratitude for the scheme, which has already impacted over a million students across the country.
In his address, the Prime Minister shared his long-standing vision to empower Pakistan’s youth and emphasized the importance of providing them with opportunities based on their abilities to achieve global recognition.
“The future of this nation lies in the hands of our students who are not just brilliant but capable of conquering the world,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said. He reflected on his journey to empower the youth as far back as 1997 and emphasized his commitment to merit-based development across all provinces.
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of development in all federating units of the country and stated that national progress can only be achieved when each region is uplifted and given equal opportunities.
“Whether it is the laptops or the 1000 students trained in agriculture or even the 600 students I sent to China during my tenure as Chief Minister Punjab, it is my firm belief that Pakistan’s development does not depend on any single province. It depends on holistic development,” he added.
The Prime Minister took to the stage again to deliver some of his most impassioned remarks during the ceremony. He began by honoring the people of KP and Hazara Division for their resilience in the face of terrorism and ongoing security challenges. He paid tribute to the police, law enforcement agencies and the armed forces for their sacrifices to secure the nation.
“My presence here today brings me immense joy because I am in the province of brave and valiant people who have fought terrorism for decades. Your sacrifices, which the nation may sometimes forget, will be remembered with golden words,” the Prime Minister remarked.
He also praised the students’ parents and teachers, acknowledging that their hard work and sacrifices were instrumental in shaping Pakistan’s future.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also shed light on the nation’s broader challenges, particularly the state of the economy and the need for skills development. He touched upon the importance of modern skills in sectors such as IT, agriculture and mining and emphasized the need to bridge the gap between the capabilities of the youth and the demands of the industry.
“We have pulled the economy back from the brink of default and now is the time for us to boost growth. This will require modern skills and our youth must lead this task,” he said. He also announced plans to send delegations from all provinces to China for training in artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies to meet the country’s needs.
In response to local demands, the Prime Minister made several important announcements. These included the establishment of a Daanish school in Haripur, a model similar to those founded in Punjab, with separate campuses for boys and girls. He also responded to requests for a women’s campus at Haripur University and committed to its speedy establishment.
“I respect and acknowledge the culture of KP and I promise that this women’s campus will be built to honor the students and their aspirations,” he said. The Prime Minister also promised the construction of the Haripur Bridge with the aim of connecting educational institutions and promoting better access to resources.
The Prime Minister ended his speech with a message of unity and national pride. He urged the youth to be inspired by the teachings of Allama Iqbal, who envisioned a Pakistan where the youth would tackle global challenges with dignity and determination.
“We must accept the challenges ahead and move forward with unity and conviction. Pakistan’s future is in the hands of our youth and they will take this country to unprecedented heights,” he said.
