The PM Laptops Scheme, designed to provide free laptops to students across Pakistan, has come under the spotlight after an alarming audit report revealed that more than 1,000 laptops were initially unaccounted for. According to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), the audit of the PM Laptops Scheme Phase-II discovered that 1,011 laptops distributed under the program could not be traced, raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability.
The PAC report has triggered public debate, with critics pointing to loopholes in monitoring and management. Supporters, however, argue that the program has had positive outcomes overall, helping thousands of students access technology for education.
Recovery of Missing Laptops
Following the initial report, officials scrambled to trace the missing laptops. Out of the total 1,011 laptops that were unaccounted for, 784 laptops were later found and recovered. This reduced the number of still-missing laptops to 227. The government acknowledged that the disappearance of these laptops resulted in a financial loss of nearly Rs12 million.
Later, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) further clarified that after additional checks and reconciliations, the number of laptops still missing under the PM Laptops Scheme has dropped further to 143 units. Officials stressed that universities, including several in Karachi and Sadiq College Women’s University, are being reviewed to finalize the records and ensure no further discrepancies remain.
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Accountability Questions Raised
Despite the recovery of some laptops, the PAC has raised sharp questions about accountability within the PM Laptops Scheme. Officials have been criticized for failing to impose disciplinary action on those responsible for the losses. The committee has issued clear directions to the concerned authorities: recover the remaining laptops within one month, or recover the financial cost from individuals found responsible.
The PAC’s firm stance reflects a growing frustration with the recurring lack of oversight in public distribution programs. Many believe the credibility of the PM Laptops Scheme is at stake unless robust accountability measures are enforced.
HEC Clarification on Figures
The Higher Education Commission has played an active role in clarifying the situation. According to HEC representatives, the reconciliation process has already reduced the number of missing laptops significantly, from 227 to 143. The HEC assured the PAC that ongoing verification in institutions, particularly in Karachi and Bahawalpur, will help bring final clarity.
However, critics argue that such large discrepancies should not have emerged in the first place if proper tracking mechanisms were in place. For the PM Laptops Scheme, such gaps risk overshadowing the broader successes achieved since its launch.
Financial and Public Trust Impact
The missing laptops represent not just a financial loss of nearly Rs12 million but also a blow to public trust in government-led initiatives. The PM Laptops Scheme was envisioned as a flagship project to empower students with technology and help bridge the digital divide in Pakistan.
When irregularities surface, especially of this magnitude, they undermine confidence in public spending. Citizens and civil society organizations have already expressed concern that such episodes weaken faith in government distribution programs, making it harder to justify future investments in similar schemes.
Past Successes of PM Laptops Scheme
Despite the controversy, it is important to recognize the achievements of the PM Laptops Scheme. Launched in multiple phases, the program has distributed hundreds of thousands of laptops to students across the country, enabling them to pursue academic and professional growth. For many students in rural and underprivileged areas, the laptops served as a gateway to digital resources, online learning, and global knowledge.
Analysts argue that the PM Laptops Scheme has, over the years, significantly contributed to improving digital literacy, encouraging innovation, and boosting research capacity. However, they also stress that mismanagement incidents like the current one risk tarnishing its legacy.
Loopholes in Monitoring Mechanism
The controversy also highlights a recurring problem: weak monitoring and distribution oversight. Observers have pointed out that the PM Laptops Scheme has struggled with effective tracking of devices, especially once laptops leave government warehouses and are handed over to universities.
Without real-time monitoring tools or robust digital tracking, it becomes difficult to account for every single device. Critics urge the government to modernize its oversight systems by using technology such as digital tagging, QR codes, and centralized reporting platforms to prevent future losses.
Role of Universities and Institutions
Universities are also under scrutiny in this matter. As implementing partners of the PM Laptops Scheme, they were responsible for ensuring proper distribution, documentation, and reporting. The PAC has demanded detailed explanations from universities, especially those where discrepancies were most visible.
Experts believe that educational institutions must play a more proactive role in safeguarding resources provided under the PM Laptops Scheme. Transparent reporting and strong accountability mechanisms at the institutional level can prevent similar irregularities in the future.
Government’s Next Steps
The government has pledged to recover the missing laptops or their costs within the given one-month timeline. Officials have hinted that stricter monitoring mechanisms will be introduced for future phases of the PM Laptops Scheme.
Moreover, discussions are ongoing about whether disciplinary action should be taken against those directly responsible for negligence. Observers suggest that unless individuals are held accountable, systemic issues will persist.
Broader Lessons for Public Schemes
The missing laptops controversy serves as a broader lesson for other government-run initiatives. Programs like the PM Laptops Scheme operate on massive budgets and require close scrutiny. When even small percentages of resources go unaccounted for, they translate into millions of rupees in losses.
Experts emphasize that public trust can only be restored if authorities ensure full transparency, introduce independent audits, and publish results publicly. The current episode can be a turning point for the PM Laptops Scheme, but only if corrective measures are implemented swiftly.
Conclusion: A Test for the Scheme’s Credibility
The PM Laptops Scheme was designed to uplift students, promote digital literacy, and reduce educational inequalities. While it has achieved much of that vision, the latest revelations about missing laptops cast a shadow over its credibility.
With 143 laptops still unaccounted for, authorities are under pressure to deliver results quickly. If recovery is achieved and accountability enforced, the scheme may still retain its reputation as a landmark educational initiative. However, if lapses persist, the PM Laptops Scheme risks being remembered less for its achievements and more for its controversies.
