Shaza Fatima Khawaja, who holds the office of Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM) for Youth Affairs, recently announced that the Prime Minister’s Youth Program would be reintroducing the laptop scheme in the current year. Speaking at a press briefing, Khawaja outlined plans to distribute a total of 100,000 laptops to young people across the country.
Khawaja expressed her regret over the previous administration’s decision to terminate the scheme, emphasizing the pivotal role laptops have played in enabling young people to maintain their academic pursuits and engage in remote work during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. The laptops distributed during the tenure of the former government, which was led by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, were instrumental in maintaining continuity under challenging conditions.
In a bid to foster a startup culture among the younger generation, the government has taken the initiative to launch the National Innovation Award. This prestigious award is designed to acknowledge and stimulate innovative concepts and entrepreneurial endeavors.
Reasserting the government’s dedication to promoting youth engagement in wholesome activities, Khawaja cited that around 54,000 young individuals participated in diverse sports events in the past year. Hockey trials took place in twenty-five different locales, while volleyball trials were organized in twenty-eight regions.
She further divulged that nationwide registrations for football trials have been initiated, providing a platform for young talent from all corners of Pakistan to showcase their skills in the sport.
Taken as a whole, these initiatives reflect the government’s focus on empowering young individuals, enhancing educational opportunities, sparking innovation, and advocating for a robust and active lifestyle.
