ECNEC Laptop Scheme Quota for Balochistan Students

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council ECNEC is poised to greenlight an increase in the merit-based distribution quota of laptops for Balochistan students. The proposed adjustment would see the quota rise significantly from 6 percent to 18 percent in a phased manner. The candidates can get updates of ECNEC Considering Expansion of Laptop Scheme Quota for Balochistan Students.

Planning Commissions Submission:

A summary submitted by the Planning Commission to the ECNEC outlined the merit criteria and cost breakdown for the distribution of laptops. The merit-based distribution will encompass all degree programs, with quotas determined based on enrollment in each program.

Merit Criteria Highlights:

a. Students securing 70 percent marks in the semester system equivalent to a 2.88 CGPA and 60 percent marks for annual system students will be eligible.

b. BS 1st Semester Students need to submit HSSC marks, converted into CGPA. MS/Ph.D. 1st Semester Students are required to provide numbers from their last degree program.

c. CGPA/GPA to Percentage conversion will follow a defined formula.

d. The top meritorious students within each department/programs allocated quota will be considered for the award of laptops, following a year-wise or semester-wise allocation.

Distribution System Details:

For BS/Diploma programs, a year-wise allocation will be implemented, while MS/MPhil or equivalent degree programs will follow a semester-wise allocation system.

Background of PM Laptops Scheme:

The PM Laptops Scheme was initiated in 2013 as part of the Prime Ministers Youth Schemes, spanning five years. In two phases, a total of 500,000 laptops were procured and distributed under PPRA Rules based on defined criteria. The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan was tasked with executing the scheme and formulating the distribution criteria.

Continuation of the Scheme:

PM Youth Laptop Scheme Phase-III is currently ongoing, aiming to distribute 100,000 laptop computers to meritorious students in 2023. Additionally, the "Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme" has been approved in the budget for the fiscal year 2023-24 as a Prime Minister’s Initiative.

ECNEC Decision and Follow-Up:

The ECNEC Meeting on July 19, 2023, conditionally approved the project. Following this decision, sponsors submitted a modified PC-1 as a follow-up to the ECNECs conditional approval.