Lahore – In response to the rising interest among students, the Government of Punjab is considering expanding the Chief Minister’s Laptop Scheme to benefit a larger number of students across the province.
According to official sources, the government is reviewing several proposals to expand the program on a broader scale. The initiative aims to provide modern technology to students in order to support their academic activities, improve digital learning opportunities, and strengthen access to educational resources. Authorities believe that expanding the scheme will help thousands of additional students enhance their studies through better access to laptops and online tools.
Reports indicate that two major proposals are currently under consideration. Under the first proposal, the program would be expanded by approximately 50 percent. If approved, the total project cost could increase to around Rs 40 billion. Through this expansion, nearly 165,000 students would receive laptops under the scheme.
The second proposal suggests doubling the size of the program entirely. If this option receives approval from the authorities, the total estimated cost of the initiative could reach about Rs 54 billion. As a result, more than 220,000 students across the province would be able to benefit from the laptop distribution program.
Officials revealed that the scheme has already received strong interest from students. So far, more than 143,000 students have submitted applications to participate in the program. Out of these applicants, around 35,000 students have already received laptops during the initial phase of the initiative.
At present, the total cost of the program stands at approximately Rs 27 billion, while Rs 15 billion was allocated for the first phase when the project was initially launched. The scheme has been widely appreciated by students and educational institutions because it helps promote digital learning and supports academic research.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Higher Education Department has extended the deadline for submitting applications for the second phase of the laptop scheme. Students who wish to apply can now submit their applications online until March 20.
Education department officials emphasized that applications for the program will only be accepted through the official online portal. Students are encouraged to carefully complete their applications and ensure they meet the eligibility criteria before the deadline.
Authorities believe that expanding the laptop scheme will play an important role in promoting digital education, improving research capabilities, and ensuring that students across Punjab have equal access to modern technology for their academic development.