PM Shehbaz Sharif Distributes Laptops to AJK Youth
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday distributed laptops to students in Azad Jammu and Kashmir under the Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Programme. The ceremony was held at the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir in Muzaffarabad, with students, faculty members, and government officials in attendance.
Addressing the event, the prime minister said the youth were Pakistan’s greatest strength and that investing in their education was vital for the country’s future. He said the laptop programme aimed to provide students with access to technology and support their academic development.
Under the PM Youth Laptop Programme, laptops were distributed to high-achieving and merit-based students from Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stressed that the distribution process was conducted strictly on merit, rejecting the perception that such schemes were politically motivated. He said transparency and fairness had remained the core principles of the programme since its inception.
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The prime minister described the laptops not merely as machines, but as a vision for the future. He recalled how earlier phases of the laptop scheme had enabled students to continue their education during the Covid-19 pandemic, helping them attend online classes, conduct research, and even earn livelihoods through digital platforms. According to him, technology had played a critical role in keeping education systems functional during a global crisis.
Speaking about the role of youth in society, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Generation Z was more aware, skilled, and capable of using technology than previous generations. He urged students to use digital platforms responsibly, particularly social media, and cautioned against the spread of misinformation and fake news. He said educated youth had a responsibility to promote facts, truth, and constructive narratives in the digital space.
The prime minister also announced several major education initiatives for Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He said four state-of-the-art Danish Schools would be established in the region to provide quality education to deserving students. In addition, he announced the establishment of a Danish University in AJK, with a focus on modern disciplines and technology-based education. These institutions, he said, would help produce skilled professionals capable of contributing to national development.
PM Shehbaz Sharif Distributes Laptops to AJK Students
Another key announcement was the revival of the Prime Minister’s Education Endowment Fund. Under this initiative, scholarships will be provided to talented but underprivileged students from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan, and other parts of the country. The scholarships will support higher education both within Pakistan and abroad, ensuring equal opportunities for students from less developed regions.
Touching upon the Kashmir issue, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering political, moral, and diplomatic support for the people of Kashmir. He said the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir had rendered immense sacrifices for their right to self-determination. He expressed confidence that the Kashmiri people would eventually achieve freedom and said their emotional bond with Pakistan was unbreakable.
The prime minister also referred to national security matters, stating that Pakistan’s armed forces had delivered a strong response to India in May this year. He said Pakistan would continue to defend its sovereignty while pursuing peace through unity, discipline, and collective national effort.
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Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Ameer Muqam, speaking at the ceremony, said the overall governance environment in the country was improving and state institutions were regaining strength. He thanked the prime minister for approving a Danish School for Haveli district on the request of AJK leadership, calling it a major step toward educational uplift in the region.
Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Faisal Mumtaz Rathore said the laptop distribution programme and newly announced education projects reflected the federal government’s trust in Kashmiri youth. He said access to technology and merit-based initiatives would help students from the region compete at the national and international levels, strengthening confidence among students and parents alike.
Vice Chancellor of the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Prof Dr Nasir Jamal Khattak, welcomed the prime minister and said the university was proud to host a ceremony centered on merit and academic excellence. He said the provision of laptops would enhance research capacity, innovation, and learning outcomes for students across different disciplines.
During the ceremony, laptops were handed over to top-performing students amid applause from the audience. A guard of honour was also presented by a contingent of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Police to mark the occasion.
The laptop distribution in Muzaffarabad is part of the broader nationwide rollout of the PM Youth Laptop Programme, which has already benefited more than one million students across Pakistan in previous phases. The latest distribution follows the recent expansion of the scheme to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the prime minister launched the programme at the University of Haripur.
Government officials said the initiative was designed not only to provide devices, but to support learning, innovation, and skill development among students. By equipping youth with modern technology, the government aims to prepare them for future challenges and enable them to contribute effectively to Pakistan’s economic and social development.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif concluded his address by stressing the importance of unity, hard work, and belief in national goals. He said empowering youth through education and merit-based opportunities was essential for building a strong, prosperous Pakistan and ensuring a better future for coming generations.
