Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif interacts with a beneficiary of the Prime Minister’s Laptop Program in Haripur. Photo: APP
HARIPUR:
Inaugurating the Prime Minister’s Laptop Distribution Scheme 2025 in Khyber-Pakhtunnkhwa on Wednesday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif termed his initiative as not just giving laptops to students but rather creating an ecosystem where the youth can unleash their potential and attain the excellence they so richly deserve.
The Prime Minister inaugurated the much-awaited Prime Minister’s Laptop Program at a ceremony held at Haripur University, attended by government officials, youth leaders and several beneficiaries, all of whom expressed their gratitude for the program that has already impacted over a million students across the country.
In his speech, the Prime Minister shared his long-held vision of empowering the youth of Pakistan, emphasizing the importance of providing them with opportunities based on their capabilities to gain global recognition.
“The future of this nation is in the hands of our students, who are not only brilliant but also capable of conquering the world,” said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He reflected on his youth empowerment journey dating back to 1997, underlining his commitment to merit-based development in all provinces.
The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of development in all federated units of the country and stated that national progress can only be achieved when all regions are elevated and provided with equal opportunities.
“Be it the laptops or the 1,000 students trained in agriculture, or even the 600 students I sent to China during my tenure as Chief Minister of Punjab, I firmly believe that Pakistan’s development does not depend on a 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 continuing security challenges. He paid tribute to the police, law enforcement agencies and armed forces for their sacrifices to protect the nation.
“My presence here today brings me immense joy because I am in the territory of brave and brave people who have fought against terrorism for decades. Their sacrifices, which the nation can sometimes forget, will be remembered with golden words,” the Prime Minister commented.
He also praised the parents and teachers of the students and acknowledged that their hard work and sacrifices were instrumental in shaping the future of Pakistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also shed light on the nation’s broader challenges, particularly the state of the economy and the need to develop skills. He touched on the importance of modern skills in sectors such as IT, agriculture and mining, and emphasized the need to close the gap between youth capabilities and industry demands.
“We have brought the economy back from the brink of default and now is the time to drive growth. This will require modern skills, and our youth must lead this change,” 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 nation’s needs.
In response to local demands, the Prime Minister made several key 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 calls for a women’s campus at Haripur University, pledging its speedy establishment.
“I respect and recognize the culture of KP and promise that this women’s campus will be built to honor the students and their aspirations,” she said. The Prime Minister also promised the construction of the Haripur Bridge, aimed at connecting educational institutions and promoting better access to resources.
The Prime Minister concluded his speech with a message of unity and national pride. He urged the youth to take inspiration from the teachings of Allama Iqbal, who envisioned a Pakistan where the youth would face global challenges with dignity and determination.
“We must accept the challenges before us and move forward with unity and conviction. The future of Pakistan is in the hands of our youth, and they will take this country to unprecedented heights,” he said.
