Punjab extends laptop scheme to private universities

LAHORE: The Punjab government has decided to expand its flagship laptop scheme to include private university students for the first time, marking a major policy shift aimed at reducing the digital and educational divide across higher education institutions in the province.

Officials confirmed that the first phase will see the distribution of 10,000 laptops to eligible students. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has already begun work on the rollout, with distribution expected to start in the coming weeks.

According to senior officials, the eligibility criteria remain unchanged. Students will be selected strictly on merit and must meet the same standards that apply to public universities, holding at least 70 per cent marks or an equivalent CGPA, being enrolled in a recognised private university in Punjab, and not having received a laptop in previous phases of the program.

An HED representative said the expansion is intended to “bridge the digital divide between public and private university students,” adding that equal access to technology has become essential for academic achievement in modern classrooms.

The scheme will also continue its reserved quotas for women, students with disabilities, and those from low-income households, ensuring that the initiative remains inclusive and targeted at communities that stand to benefit the most from access to digital tools.