All We Need to Know About Pakistan’s 500,000 Free Chromebooks Scheme

Prime Minister’s Youth Chromebooks Scheme will distribute refurbished devices strictly on merit, with selected students also receiving backpacks and MiFi internet devices to support digital learning.

October 27, 2026 at 11:47 PM
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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has announced a plan to distribute 500,000 refurbished Chromebooks to high-achieving Grade 9 students across the country over the next two years, aiming to expand access to digital education and online learning resources.

Announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on October 25, 2026, the Prime Minister’s Youth Chromebooks Scheme will prioritise students securing at least 50% marks in their latest Secondary School Certificate Part-I (SSC-I) examinations.

The Federal Ministry of Education and Professional Training will implement the initiative in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, while the Tokyo Technology Care Foundation (TT Care Foundation) will provide the devices under a letter of understanding.

Who is eligible for the Chromebook Scheme?

Students from public-sector schools, private schools supported by provincial governments and educational foundations, and registered madaris can apply.

The Inter Boards Coordination Commission (IBCC) will validate examination results, with selections based strictly on merit within each province or region, educational board and academic stream.

The scheme sets a minimum eligibility threshold of 50% marks, but meeting this requirement does not guarantee selection, as candidates will compete on merit within their respective categories.

How many chromebooks will each province receive?

The announced regional and provincial allocations are as follows:

  • Punjab: 181,090
  • Sindh: 85,925
  • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: 51,170
  • Balochistan: 31,815
  • Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT): 100,000
  • Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK): 25,000
  • Gilgit-Baltistan (GB): 25,000

Under the announced distribution formula, 80% of each region’s allocation will go to school students and 20% to madrassa students. Within these categories, 70% of the allocation will be reserved for science students and 30% for arts students.

What will selected students receive?

In addition to a refurbished Chromebook, each selected student will receive a backpack and a MiFi internet device to access online learning materials, digital resources and electronic libraries from home.

The government aims to distribute the devices through courier services equipped with tracking facilities. Schools will verify students’ mark sheets, current enrolment and institutional affiliation before dispatch.

Complaint committees will also be established to address grievances related to selection, verification and non-delivery of devices.

How to apply for the Prime Minister’s Chromebook Scheme

Eligible students can visit the official portal at pmychromebooks.ibcc.edu.pk to check their records and submit applications once their board results are available.

Applicants are required to upload the necessary documents, including a recent photograph, examination mark sheet and copies of their B-Form or Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC), as applicable.

Students should ensure that their academic records and enrolment details are accurate and verified by their respective schools and examination boards.

What has the Prime Minister said about the scheme?

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the Chromebooks would be distributed strictly on merit, stressing that talented students should not be held back by financial constraints.

He recalled that previous Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) governments had distributed 600,000 laptops over the preceding decade, describing the latest initiative as another step towards strengthening Pakistan’s digital economy.

“The real purpose of the Prime Minister’s Youth Chromebooks Scheme is to bring the digitally unconnected students into the online economy,” the prime minister said.

Read Also: PM Shehbaz Launches Distribution of Half a Million Laptops Among Youth

The government expects the 500,000-device initiative, alongside internet connectivity, to benefit approximately 2.5 million people over the next two years.

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