5 min read
In a bold move to turbo-charge youth empowerment in Pakistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formally re-launched the Laptop Scheme under the umbrella of the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) and the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP). The 2025 Phase aims to distribute 100,000 laptops on merit to talented students in public sector universities nationwide.
As education increasingly relies on digital tools, many students in remote regions have found themselves at a disadvantage due to lack of access to modern hardware, spotty infrastructure and challenging geography. The renewed scheme signals a commitment to digital inclusion and equal opportunity across Pakistan’s most remote corners.
“This programme is not for personal glory, but for our young citizens who are the future architects of Pakistan,” the Prime Minister remarked during the launch of the 4th phase.
TechJuice was given the opportunity to review the laptops before the distribution ceremony. According to our team review, here are the specs of these laptops: a 14″ FHD display, Ryzen 5 7430U CPU, 8 GB RAM + extra slot, 256 GB SSD, full-function USB-C, HDMI, Micro SD reader, RJ-45 etc. Surely, students will receive a machine capable of far more than just typing reports. Here’s how those features translate into real-world student use:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7430U, a 6-core/8-thread mobile processor, offers ample power for multitasking: running code editors, virtual machines, simulation software, statistical packages, creative tools (e.g., graphic design or video editing) alongside regular browser-based study.
Memory: 8 GB DDR4-3200 (with a second free slot): at 8 GB you can comfortably run modern browsers with many tabs, an office suite, Zoom/Teams, even light development environments. The extra slot means you can upgrade to 16 GB or 32 GB later, which is a big plus for students who move into heavier workloads (e.g., programming, data science).
Display: 14″ Full HD (1920×1080), anti-glare: a high-resolution screen gives clarity for reading text, viewing CAD drawings, spreadsheets, design mock-ups, and the anti-glare layer helps in bright or outdoor settings (which is helpful in places without ideal lighting).
Storage: 256 GB SSD, M.2 slot: fast boot times, quick application loading, and enough space to store academic materials, course videos, project files, and portable software. The M.2 slot again gives future upgrade potential (512 GB or 1 TB) as the student’s needs grow.
Graphics: Integrated graphics (modern Ryzen iGPU; while not a dedicated GPU) the integrated graphics are good enough for HD video playback, online design/UX work, programming with visualisation libraries, even light gaming or 3D modelling in beginner mode.
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 5 (dual band 2.4 GHz/5 GHz), Bluetooth 5.0: reliable wireless network access is critical in remote or campus environments. Dual-band Wi-Fi lets students switch to 5 GHz for faster, less crowded access when available. Bluetooth 5.0 means wireless headphones, external mice/keyboards, even Bluetooth speaker support.
Ports: USB-A x2, USB-C x1 (full-function), HDMI, Micro SD card reader, 3.5 mm audio jack, RJ-45 Ethernet port, very generous for a student laptop.
- USB-C full function means you could use a single cable for power, data, external monitor, USB hub.
- HDMI means easy connection to external monitors/TVs; useful for group study sessions, presentations, or even connecting to classroom projectors.
- Micro-SD slot helps when transferring large data sets, camera footage or offline resources.
- RJ-45 (Ethernet) is a big plus in areas where Wi-Fi is unstable or weak, being able to plug in ensures stable connectivity for research downloads, online exams, live classes.
Keyboard US Standard, 720p HD Camera with shield/cover, Dual stereo speakers: The camera means students in remote places can attend live classes, inter-university webinars, Zoom sessions; the cover gives privacy.
Dual stereo speakers ensure decent audio for video lectures or group discussion. The US standard keyboard is widely compatible with software shortcuts and key-mappings used in global layouts.
A Computer Science student can use this laptop to write code, compile projects, test algorithms, use virtual machines or containers, something that older generic machines simply could not handle.
A social sciences student can use it to run data analysis (e.g., using Python, R) on regional data sets, prepare presentations, collaborate online with peers in Karachi or Islamabad, submit assignments digitally, and even link up with remote internships.
An engineering student can connect via HDMI to a monitor in a lab, download large simulation software via Ethernet, attend a guest lecture from abroad, design a prototype in CAD, export and share it, or coordinate group work with classmates across provinces.
- For freelancing: With the rise of remote work, a student who receives this laptop can join online platforms, create digital content, build websites, do graphic design, edit videos, or even launch a startup from home in a village. The specs give a solid foundation to compete globally.
- For e-learning: With the anti-glare screen and solid audio/visual setup, even students in dim or shared-space environments can watch recorded lectures, take online courses (MOOCs), access digital libraries, and upskill themselves on their own time, critical for remote regions where physical library access is limited.
MECHREVO states the unit was customised for Pakistan, including battery life, thermal resilience, durability and localisation support (e.g., for hot/dusty conditions) in collaboration with the national scheme.
The Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme 2025 has a chance to be a strategic investment in Pakistan’s youth. Especially those in far-flung, underserved areas, this is no less than a life-defining tool. By equipping students in Balochistan, Sindh and AJK, among other remote areas, with modern computing tools, the government helps unlock potential that has long been hindered by geography and infrastructure.
When a young student in a remote district opens the laptop for the first time, they are getting connectivity, opportunity, the world at their fingertips, a chance to self-actualise, to learn, to compete.
You can see TechJuice-exclusive full review of the laptop below:
