Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Wajiha Qamar informed the Senate that the government has procured 100,000 laptops under the Laptop Scheme for students. The devices were purchased under the PM Youth Laptop Scheme-IV.
The minister said the total cost of the procurement reached about Rs16.8 billion. She explained that the Laptop Scheme aims to support students with modern learning tools. The initiative focuses on improving digital access in universities.
Speaking during the Senate’s Question Hour, Wajiha Qamar said the procurement process was fully transparent. The laptops were purchased through open competitive bidding. The process followed the rules of the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority.
She said all steps were completed in line with official procurement regulations. The government ensured fair competition during the bidding process.
The minister also shared details about the distribution quota. The share for Balochistan has increased from 14 percent to 18 percent under the Laptop Scheme. This step aims to provide more opportunities for students from the province.
In addition, a special quota has been reserved for distance learning institutions. Five percent of the laptops will be distributed to Allama Iqbal Open University and Virtual University of Pakistan. Each institution will receive 2.5 percent of the total allocation.
Responding to another question, the minister said the Federal Directorate of Education has advertised 565 vacant teaching posts. These positions are being filled through the Federal Public Service Commission.
She said the recruitment process is currently underway. The appointments will be made according to the established procedure.
The minister added that evening shifts have been introduced in several educational institutions. This step was taken due to rising student enrolment in Islamabad. Teachers working in evening shifts are receiving a separate compensation package.
Local teachers have also been hired to support the evening classes. The government has recently established 12 new educational institutions as well.
Wajiha Qamar said a request has been sent to the Ministry of Finance for approval of additional teaching posts. This will help meet the growing demand for education in the federal capital.
The minister also addressed the issue of out-of-school children. She said the government has started several initiatives to improve access to education.
According to the 7th Population Census, around 25.73 million children in Pakistan are currently out of school.
To address this challenge, the Ministry of Federal Education operates 946 Non-Formal Education centres. These centres provide education to nearly 30,394 students. Around 1,076 teachers are currently working in these centres.
Meanwhile, Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar said education and health became provincial subjects after the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan.
However, some institutions such as research centres remain under federal administration in Islamabad.
Separately, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry informed the Senate that a special committee has been formed to review bills related to private universities.
In other related news also read Who Can Get a Free Laptop Through the PM Laptop Scheme
The committee will be headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. It will examine proposed legislation before the bills are presented to parliament.
