LAHORE: Hundreds of students across Punjab were awarded laptops and scholarships this week under government and corporate initiatives aimed at equipping youth with modern technology and supporting academic excellence.
At the Government College University Lahore, 791 students from 44 departments received laptops under the Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Scheme.
Speaking at the ceremony, Fahd Shahbaz, focal person for the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme and member of the National Youth Council, said the scheme was designed to empower young people with access to technology and enable them to contribute to national development.
He noted that more than one million laptops had been distributed on merit over the past decade, alongside the establishment of youth development centres in 72 universities to promote leadership and provide guidance.
Students Affairs Director Siddique Awan highlighted the achievements of GCU students in diverse fields, adding that the university had consistently played a leading role in nurturing leadership qualities among youth.
The ceremony was attended by teachers, officials, and a large number of students, with laptops distributed among the recipients at the conclusion of the event.
Meanwhile, at the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), 558 students were awarded laptops under Phase-4 of the Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Scheme 2026.
Punjab School and Higher Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat presided over the ceremony, joined by UVAS Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Younus, faculty members, and students from multiple campuses including Lahore, Pattoki, Jhang, and Narowal.
The minister said equipping students with modern technology was essential for progress, adding that the Punjab government was taking “revolutionary steps” in the education sector to empower youth.
He emphasised that the combination of education and technology was a guarantee of national development.
Prof Younus praised the minister’s role in advancing education, noting his contributions to both school and higher education in Punjab.
In a parallel initiative, the Punjab Education Foundation (PEF) and Parco distributed scholarships to high-achieving students from underprivileged areas. Fourteen students were awarded cash prizes of Rs50,000 each along with certificates of appreciation, with the total scholarship amount of Rs100,000 to be disbursed in two installments.
PEF Chairman Malik Shoaib said the scholarships recognised outstanding academic performance and reaffirmed the institutions’ commitment to promoting quality education across Punjab.
Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2026
