CM Punjab Mairam Nawaz Inaugurated the First Phase of Laptop and Second Phase of Honahar Scholarship Scheme today at UET Lahore

April 30, 2025

Lahore ( ) Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz has relaunched the provincial government’s student laptop scheme after an eight-year hiatus, announcing the distribution of high-performance 13th-generation Core i7 laptops to top-performing students across the country. At a ceremony held at University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore, the Chief Minister formally inaugurated the first phase of the scheme by distributing laptops and sitting among students rather than on the stage. She was welcomed by Vice Chancellor UET Prof. Dr. Shahid Munir with a bouquet. She also launched Phase II of the “Honahar Scholarship” initiative, which will provide financial aid to thousands of students.

According to officials, an online portal has been opened for students from other provinces, including Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Punjab will receive the largest share, but Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will receive 3,136 laptops, followed by Balochistan with 938, AJK with 517, and Gilgit-Baltistan with 410. As part of the Honahar Scholarship Phase II, students from second to fifth year or third to eighth semesters will be awarded PKR 20,000 each. In Lahore Division, over 3,121 students from 27 public colleges, six medical colleges, and several universities will benefit from scholarships worth over PKR 120 million. Additionally, a total of 14,000 students in Lahore Division will receive laptops under the scheme. These will be distributed across 13 public universities, six medical colleges, and 27 higher education institutions.

In a show of honour, a ceremonial guard of honour was presented to students at the event, where the Higher Education Department also screened a special documentary on the laptop scheme and scholarships. UET students performed patriotic songs and national anthem to mark the occasion. CM Punjab applauded the live performances by UET students. UET students also presented the CM with portraits of Mairam Nawaz and her mother. “When Pakistan’s youth say ‘Qadam Qadam Abaad Rahe,’ then Inshallah, this land shall forever thrive,” Maryam Nawaz said during her address. She also praised Vice Chancellor Dr. Shahid Munir and his team for organizing such a successful event. Almost 2600 students of UET Lahore received laptops.

Addressing the ceremony at UET Lahore, Maryam Nawaz said, “We all stand with the Pakistan Armed Forces. Students, there is tension at the border, you must not be afraid but face it with courage. Now is the time to stand shoulder to shoulder with our armed forces.” The Punjab Chief Minister further said, “No matter which political party you belong to, promise that every step you take will be for Pakistan. Do not become part of any conspiracy that harms national integrity.” She added, “People often think politics is bad, but there is no greater worship than politics. Politics is another name for service.” "I haven’t come here to give laptops or scholarships, but to applaud and encourage you. Looking at your performance, it’s clear the future of Punjab and Pakistan is bright. The laptops and scholarships are just an excuse — I’ve come to meet the children. The distribution of laptops was done purely on merit and without discrimination.” She concluded by saying, “I received applications from 100,000 students for laptops. All of them will be given laptops. I also urge the chief ministers of other provinces to reward their students.”

The event was attended by Vice Chancellors from various universities of Lahore and Secretary of the Higher Education Commission, Dr. Farakh Naveed, as well as Speaker of the Punjab Assembly Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan, MNA Rana Hayat Khan, Minister of State Malik Rasheed Ahmad Khan, MPA Shoaib Siddiqui, Provincial Minister for Information Uzma Bukhari, and other parliamentarians. The Vice Chancellor UET Prof. Dr. Shahid Munir congratulated the Provincial Minister for Education Rana Sikandar Hayat, Secretary HED Dr. Farakh Naveed, team PHEC and UET on the successful organization of the event.