In a major boost for higher education, the Punjab government has received the first batch of 30,000 laptops to be distributed among students under the second phase of the Chief Minister’s Laptop Scheme.
Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat announced that distribution of laptops is part of the provincial government’s broader plan to distribute more than 70,000 laptops among deserving students during the current year.
The initiative has been approved by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and aims to promote digital learning and improve access to modern educational resources.
The announcement comes alongside the Punjab government’s record Rs. 750 billion education budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year. The funding is intended to strengthen schools, colleges, and universities while expanding educational infrastructure, supporting digital transformation, and enhancing learning opportunities across the province.
According to budget documents, the School Education Department has been allocated Rs. 600.78 billion for current expenditures and Rs. 13.18 billion for development projects. Out of the total allocation, Rs. 570.52 billion has been earmarked for grants and subsidies to district education authorities and public schools.
Meanwhile, the Higher Education Department will receive Rs. 83.48 billion for current expenditures and Rs. 11.15 billion for development initiatives. The budget also includes Rs. 68.72 billion for employee-related expenses, including salaries and benefits.
The laptop distribution initiative, coupled with the province’s substantial investment in education, reflects the Punjab government’s focus on equipping students with digital tools and improving the overall quality of education throughout the province.
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