CM Punjab’s Free Laptop Scheme: Is It Really Free?

” The Government of Punjab has announced the distribution of 110,000 laptops under the Chief Minister’s Laptop Program 2024–25. 

The Punjab government’s plan to distribute 110,000 laptops under the Chief Minister’s Laptop Program may seem like a win for education, but it comes with serious concerns, more on this later in the article.

However, there is one big catch. Students are required to complete biometric verification at designated NADRA e-Sahulat Centers as a key condition for participation. An official notification from the Directorate of Public Instructions (Colleges), Punjab, states that this initiative is aimed at eligible students enrolled in public sector universities, colleges, and medical institutions throughout the province.

Who’s Getting It First?

In the first phase of the program, approximately 7,000 students from selected institutions will receive their laptops in a special ceremony scheduled for April 30, 2025.

To ensure transparency, the Higher Education Department has partnered with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) for biometric thumb verification. NADRA is providing these services at the designated institutions from April 24, 2025.

All costs for verification will be covered by the Higher Education Department, with NADRA submitting proper documentation for reimbursement. Institutions have been directed to coordinate and ensure that students complete the verification process on time to qualify for the laptop distribution event.

The Punjab government’s plan to distribute 110,000 laptops under the Chief Minister’s Laptop Program has significant issues that we should consider before jumping to conclusions. are some key points:

Taxpayer Burden: These are not “free”; they are funded by public money. In a struggling economy, spending billions on gadgets instead of improving schools, internet access, or teacher training is questionable.

Political Optics: With potential elections always around the corner in Pakistan, this feels more like a vote-buying campaign than an education initiative. Ceremonies and branded handouts serve politics more than students.

Biometric Data Risks: Requiring NADRA thumb verification raises red flags about student privacy and potential surveillance, especially in a country with weak digital rights protections.

Market Disruption: Flooding the market with free laptops could hurt small tech retailers and fuel black market reselling.

Conclusion: If the goal is real progress, funds should go toward long-term reforms, not flashy giveaways.