The PM Youth Laptop Scheme’s timeline
Introduced in July 2023, the Prime Minister Youth Laptop Scheme sought to improve academic and research abilities and digitally empower young people, especially those enrolled at publicly supported institutions. Thousands of students are dissatisfied, though, since the program has faced an unusual delay in its actual implementation. Due to the delay caused by files that were circulating in several government agencies, the Higher Education Commission formed a Project Steering Committee in February 2024 to carry out the plan and start the bidding process.
You can read more: Women eligible for the Benazir Income Support Program are being re-surveyed starting in 2025.
Detailed Information for 251 Days
The PC-1 Scheme Approval Process takes 73 days to complete the technical assessment.
• 76 days for the financial evaluation.
• 59 days for the technical evaluation.
• 47 days to submit a bid.
• 45 days for contract signing.
• Steering Committee notification: 19 days.
• It takes seven days to prepare SBD.
• A lengthy delay calls into doubt the timing and efficacy of the plan.
| Stage | Duration (Days) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Assessment (PC-1 Approval) | 73 | Time taken to complete the initial technical review of the scheme |
| Financial Evaluation | 76 | Time spent evaluating the financial aspects of the plan |
| Technical Evaluation | 59 | Further technical scrutiny after financial review |
| Bid Submission | 47 | Duration for receiving bids from vendors |
| Contract Signing | 45 | Time required to finalize and sign contracts |
| Steering Committee Notification | 19 | Period taken to officially notify the committee members |
| Preparation of Standard Bidding Document (SBD) | 7 | Time to prepare and finalize the bidding documents |
| Total Time Taken | 251 Days | Combined duration causing delay in the scheme’s launch |
Consequences of Delay
The impact of a scheme’s delay has been substantial for students who depend on digital learning, online courses, and research projects. In order to access e-learning and conduct distant studies, laptops have become indispensable. Students’ academic and professional endeavors have been hampered by the delay, which has affected both academic and professional domains.
Applications Started
In April 2025, HEC opened a portal to accept applications for the laptop program from undergraduate, graduate, and MPhil students. The Federal Higher Education Commission is now handling the case after the application procedure was finished on June 1, 2025.
You can read more: Re-survey of women eligible for the Benazir Income Support Program, starting in 2025
Tenure of the Chairman and HEC
The current HEC Chairman, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, is scheduled to leave office in July 2025, according to insiders. According to certain rumors, he is looking for a longer extension in this role. By putting the plan into action as soon as feasible, they may attempt to draw attention to their performance in this situation, which would be advantageous to the kids.
In conclusion
Even though the laptop program took a long time to get underway, it is hoped that HEC will soon begin the process of giving computers to the students now that the online applications have been finished. Avoiding bureaucratic obstacles and completing such initiatives in a transparent, expedient, and equitable way are urgently needed in order to brighten Pakistan’s educational future.
FAQs
1. What does the PM Youth Laptop Scheme aim to achieve?
The PM Youth Laptop Scheme seeks to give students at public colleges and universities computers so they may advance their digital, intellectual, and research abilities. It facilitates students’ access to digital materials, e-learning platforms, and online education.
2. Why is the plan so far behind schedule?
Long administrative processes, such as technical and financial assessments, file processing across several agencies, and late bidding and contract phases, caused delays for the plan. It took around 251 days in total to get to the application stage.
3. Who can submit an application for the laptop program?
Applications were accepted from undergraduate, graduate, and MPhil students attending public universities. April 2025 saw the opening of the application site, which concluded on June 1st of the same year.