Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Tuesday launched the second phase of the “Hunarmand” (Merit) Scholarship and Laptop Scheme, unveiling an ambitious education package aimed at empowering students across Pakistan with opportunities rooted firmly in merit and transparency.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Chief Minister announced plans to distribute 118,000 Core i7 laptops and 80,000 merit-based scholarships over the next year. She emphasized that the entire selection process would be free of favoritism or political influence.
“The selection process will be based purely on merit,” Maryam Nawaz declared, underscoring the program’s inclusivity for students from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. She noted that more than 27,000 applications for laptops had already been received from KP and Balochistan, reflecting the scheme’s national appeal.
The initiative forms part of a broader youth empowerment agenda that includes the establishment of 6,000 STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) laboratories, the creation of “Schools of Eminence” across Punjab, and the development of new Centers of Excellence. In addition, the government plans to introduce electric buses in Chakwal to enhance urban mobility and promote eco-friendly transport solutions.
Reflecting on her own journey, the Chief Minister spoke about her political struggles, recalling her entry into politics in 2011, her first electoral contest in 2024, and her imprisonment, which she said was endured “without any crime or wrongdoing.” She said these challenges had strengthened her resolve to invest in education and youth development.
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Maryam Nawaz concluded that the initiative marks a crucial step toward building a future driven by education, merit, and innovation—empowering Pakistan’s next generation to lead with knowledge and integrity.