In August 2024, PM Shehbaz Sharif promised one million smartphones, tablets, and laptops for top-performing students. Nearly 19 months later, the laptop component has delivered real results — 100,000 laptops under Phase IV are being distributed at universities across Pakistan. The smartphone-specific component, however, remains at the announcement stage with no official registration portal or distribution event publicly documented.
Here is what was promised, what materialized, how to apply for what exists, and where the rest stands.
What was announced in August 2024
PM Shehbaz Sharif stated that the federal government will provide one million smartphones, tablets, and laptops to top-performing students across the country, including those from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and remote areas of Balochistan. He made the announcement while addressing an event marking the International Day of Youth, organized by the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme.
At the event, the PM also launched several key initiatives, including the Commonwealth Youth Alliance Secretariat in Islamabad, the Digital Learning Portal, the PM Green Youth Movement, and the AI for Youth Programme, which offers Intel-certified skills to young people.
He also announced that he will personally fund the education of 1,000 agricultural graduates in China, and Huawei committed to sending 200,000 youth for IT training and advanced education.
The announcement bundled smartphones, tablets, and laptops together under a single “one million devices” headline. The implementation, however, separated them.
What actually happened: laptops moved, smartphones didn’t
The clearest takeaway since August 2024 is a split. The PM Youth Laptop Scheme Phase IV (100,000 laptops for university students) moved through formal approval, applications, merit lists, and physical distribution. The smartphone plan — which would target a much larger group — has not produced a verifiable registration system, procurement trail, or distribution event.
This distinction matters because many students are still waiting for the smartphone component. Anyone claiming to offer “PM free smartphone registration” through unofficial websites should be treated with caution. Only the official portals — pmyp.gov.pk — are verified government platforms.
PM Youth Laptop Scheme Phase IV
Under the initiative, 100,000 laptops will be distributed to high-achieving students across Pakistan as part of the government’s broader drive for youth empowerment and digital inclusion.
PM Shehbaz inaugurated the PM Laptop Scheme 2025 distribution in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at a ceremony held at the University of Haripur, attended by government officials, youth leaders and beneficiaries.
A special documentary showcasing the success of the Laptop Scheme since its inception in 2013 was presented at the event. The scheme has cumulatively impacted over one million students since launch.
Read more: Deadline extended for PM’s youth laptop scheme that aims to distribute 100,000 laptops
Eligibility criteria
To qualify for Phase IV, students must meet HEC requirements:
- Must be enrolled in a public sector university or HEC-recognized degree-awarding institute
- Eligible programs include BS (4/5 years), MS/MPhil (18 years), and PhD
- Selection is merit-based — academic performance is the primary factor
- Students from affiliated colleges of public universities are not eligible
- Students who received laptops in previous phases cannot reapply
Balochistan HEI’s quota has been fixed at 14% (14,000 Laptops). The remaining 86,000 will be allocated among public sector HEIs in accordance with their enrollment preferences.
There is a quota system for distribution with 18% reserved for students in Balochistan’s higher education institutions and 5% for distance learning students.
How to apply
Applications are submitted through the official Digital Youth Hub platform:
- Visit pmyp.gov.pk
- Create a new account or update an existing profile
- Enter personal details, academic qualifications, and university information
- Upload required documents: CNIC, student ID, transcripts
- Submit and wait for university focal person verification
- Check status using your CNIC on the portal
The deadline to submit applications was extended from May 20 to June 1, 2025. Students can apply online via the Digital Youth Hub website or by downloading the mobile application.
Distribution progress
Distribution ceremonies have moved through multiple provinces:
The fourth phase of the Prime Minister’s Youth Laptop Scheme was formally inaugurated in Haripur by PM Shehbaz Sharif, triggering widespread enthusiasm among students enrolled in public-sector universities across the province.
Distribution of laptops under Phase-IV will tentatively commence from 26th February 2026 at Islamabad (VU Head Office) and from 27th February 2026 at VU M.A. Jinnah Office, Lahore. The Islamia University of Bahawalpur started formal distribution from 23rd February 2026.
The laptops being distributed include Intel Core i5 or i7 (13th Generation) processors, 8GB to 16GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB to 512GB SSD storage, and pre-installed Windows 11 and Microsoft Office.
What about the one million smartphones?
This is the question most students are asking.
The August 2024 announcement specifically mentioned smartphones and tablets alongside laptops. Other initiatives included Smart Youth, Smart Pakistan, and the distribution of one million tablets and mobile phones to high-achieving intermediate students.
However, as of March 2026:
- No official smartphone registration portal has been launched
- No procurement or tender process for smartphone distribution has been publicly documented
- No distribution ceremony for smartphones has taken place
Although the official registration hasn’t started yet, it is confirmed and coming soon — per unofficial tracking sites, but this has not been independently verified through government portals.
The practical reality is that the laptop scheme (targeting university students) moved forward through existing HEC infrastructure and the established PM Youth Programme. The smartphone component (targeting a broader group including intermediate students) would require a different delivery mechanism that has not yet been publicly built.
Students should avoid unofficial websites claiming to register them for free smartphones. Only pmyp.gov.pk is the verified federal platform.
What to watch next
Three things will determine whether the broader device promise materializes:
- Smartphone portal launch. Until a verified government registration system goes live for the smartphone component, the “one million” target remains an unfulfilled announcement. Students should monitor pmyp.gov.pk for official updates.
- Phase IV completion. The 100,000-laptop distribution is underway but not finished across all provinces. Full completion and transparency reporting will build credibility for future phases.
- Budget allocation. Distributing one million smartphones requires significant procurement funding. Whether the federal budget explicitly allocates for this — and through which ministry or programme — will signal whether the plan is advancing or stalled.
The PM Laptop Scheme is a real, functioning program with verified distribution at universities across Pakistan. The smartphone promise is a separate commitment that has not yet translated into ground-level delivery. Students should use what exists today and watch official channels for what comes next.