Timeline for the PM Youth Laptop Scheme
Launched in July 2023, the Prime Minister Youth Laptop Scheme sought to improve academic and research abilities while empowering young people, especially students attending publicly supported institutions, using digital means. However, the program’s actual implementation has been beset by an unusual delay, frustrating thousands of pupils. The Higher Education Commission formed a Project Steering Committee in February 2024 to carry out the plan and start the tender process as a result of the delay caused by files that were circulating in several government agencies.
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Complete 251-Day Details
PC-1 Scheme Approval Process:
• Finalization of Technical Assessment: 73 days.
• Financial Evaluation: 76 days.
• Technical Evaluation: 59 days.
• Bid Submission: 47 days.
• Contract Signing: 45 days.
• Notification of Steering Committee: 19 days.
• SBD Preparation: 7 days.
• Long wait raises questions about the scheme’s effectiveness and timeliness.
The Impact of Postponement
Students that depend on research projects, online courses, and digital learning have been greatly harmed by the scheme’s delay. Laptops have become a basic need since they are vital instruments for e-learning and remote study. Students have been pushed back in their academic and professional endeavors as a result of the delay, which has affected both academic and professional domains.
| Phase | Activity | Duration (Days) | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Scheme Processing | Finalization of Technical Assessment | 73 Days | Initial assessment of technical requirements and standards. |
| 2. Evaluation Phase | Financial Evaluation | 76 Days | Cost evaluation of bids and financial proposals. |
| 3. Evaluation Phase | Technical Evaluation | 59 Days | Assessment of technical proposals from bidders. |
| 4. Bidding Phase | Bid Submission | 47 Days | Vendors submitted proposals during this window. |
| 5. Agreement Stage | Contract Signing | 45 Days | Final agreement with selected vendors for laptop procurement. |
| 6. Administrative Coordination | Notification of Steering Committee | 19 Days | Formation of a committee to monitor and guide the project. |
| 7. Document Preparation | Standard Bidding Document (SBD) Prep | 7 Days | Preparation of bidding documents for suppliers. |
Launch of Applications
In April 2025, HEC opened a portal where undergraduate, graduate, and MPhil students may apply for the laptop program. On June 1, 2025, the application procedure was finished, and the Federal Higher Education Commission is currently handling the case.
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Chairman’s Tenure and HEC
According to insiders, HEC’s current chairman, Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, will step down in July 2025. He is reportedly looking for a longer extension in this role. In this situation, they could attempt to emphasize their performance by putting the plan into action as soon as possible, which would directly help the kids.
In conclusion
Now that the online applications have been finished, it is hoped that HEC will soon begin the process of giving computers to the students, despite the laptop plan taking an unusually long time to get underway. In order to brighten Pakistan’s educational future, it is imperative that bureaucratic obstacles be avoided and that such initiatives be finished in a transparent, quick, and equitable way.
FAQs
1. Who may apply for the PM Youth Laptop Program?
Eligible students include those enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, and MPhil programs at public universities. They must fulfill the academic and institutional requirements and apply via the HEC site.
2. What is causing the delay in laptop distribution?
Administrative obstacles and the drawn-out approval process involving several government ministries were the primary causes of the delay. The entire process of technical and financial assessments, bidding, and contract signing took more than 250 days.
3. When will laptops be delivered to students?
On June 1, 2025, the online application period closed. Distribution is anticipated to start shortly, maybe before the current HEC chairman’s term expires in July 2025. The data is now being processed by the Higher Education Commission.