Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has announced that 100,000 free laptops will be distributed among talented students across the country on merit.

 He was addressing an event held in Islamabad to mark International Youth Day on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister said the distribution of these laptops will be across all four provinces, federal capital Islamabad, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, and will purely be on merit without any nepotism.

He said these laptops will be apart from the scheme for laptops through interest-free loans.

Referring to Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, the Prime Minister said Pakistan's victory on May 10 against a numerically large and vainglorious enemy has kindled a new vigour in the entire nation.

The Prime Minister urged the youth to build on the spirit of this achievement and work hard to win laurels for the country. 

Earlier, addressing the ceremony, Chairman Prime Minister Youth Program Rana Mashhood said government's merit-based programs for youth have enabled talented and deserving children succeed in their lives. 

He mentioned different landmark projects which continue to help thousands of students complete their education like Pakistan Education Endowment scheme, Pakistan Daanish Authority and Prime Minister's Laptop Scheme.                        

Speaking on the occasion, Minister of State for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Kesoo Mal Khael Das said minority communities of Pakistan always have and will continue to play their role for progress and development of the country.