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PM announces 100,000 free laptops for students PM says distribution of laptops will cover all four provinces and will be based purely on merit, without any nepotism

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the distribution of 100,000 free laptops among talented students across the country on merit, during an International Youth Day event in Islamabad on Tuesday. Premier stated that the distribution of these laptops will cover all four provinces, the federal capital Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Kashmir, and will be based purely on merit, without any nepotism. He added that these laptops would be separate from the scheme for laptops through interest-based loans. Referring to Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, the prime minister mentioned that Pakistan’s victory on May 10 against a numerically larger and more boastful enemy had instilled a new vigour in the entire nation. He urged the youth to build on the spirit of this achievement and work hard to bring honour to the country. Earlier, during the ceremony, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Program, Rana Mashhood, said the government’s merit-based programs for youth had enabled talented and des...
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Pakistan Moves Closer to Starlink Internet Services



The Standing Committee on Information Technology & Telecommunication, at the National Assembly, has asked the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to expedite work on Starlink's satellite internet service in the country. This is after Starlink contacted authorities in Pakistan in 2022 to offer internet services via satellite.¹ However, the license agreement remains to be finalized with the Pakistan Space Regulatory Authority.


The committee has directed the PTA to expedite the process so that Starlink internet services can be made available on time in Pakistan. This will solve some of the connectivity issues that have been haunting Pakistan by providing adequate services, especially in far-flung and underdeveloped areas. Pakistan suffered internet outages of up to $1.62 billion during 2024, and Starlink might be an efficient option to help this south Asia country.


Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, confirmed last month that Starlink had applied to launch services in Pakistan and was awaiting government approval. Musk stated that they are waiting for approval from the Pakistani government, highlighting the company's eagerness to enter the Pakistani market. The PTA Chairman, Major General (R) Hafeez Ur Rehman, also mentioned that Starlink is waiting for security clearance, a necessary step before obtaining its operating license and launching services in Pakistan.


Once Starlink receives the necessary approvals, it will start services in a month's time. That would be quite a big boost for Pakistan's IT and telecommunication sector in terms of speedy and reliable internet services across the country. Competition and innovation would also increase because of Starlink's entry in the Pakistani market.²


The committee also discussed budget proposals relating to the PSDP of the Ministry of Information Technology for the fiscal year 2025-26. After deliberation, it approved a proposal for Rs43,651.380 million for the next fiscal year. This amount will hopefully be utilized in the development of Pakistan's IT and telecommunications sector.


Pakistan Telecommunication Authority is planning to introduce satellite internet service through Starlink, which will boost the IT and telecommunications sector positively. Pakistan currently faces many issues related to connectivity, and high demand for Internet services, in particular, would be boosted in the wake of Starlink in the Pakistani market.

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