More than 1,000 laptops that were given out under the Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme Phase-II were reported missing, according to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
During an audit, officials discovered that 1,011 laptops could not be traced. Out of these, 784 have now been found and recovered. However, 227 laptops are still missing, which has caused a financial loss of nearly Rs. 12 million to the government.
So far, no disciplinary action has been taken against anyone involved. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) later clarified that after further checking, the number of missing laptops has now reduced to 143. Universities in Karachi and Sadiq College Women’s University are still being reviewed to finalize the numbers.
The PAC has directed the concerned authorities to recover the remaining laptops within one month. If the devices are not recovered in time, the cost will have to be recovered from those found responsible.
The situation has raised serious questions about accountability and monitoring in government-run distribution schemes. Many are concerned that such losses not only affect public trust but also waste valuable resources that are meant to support students in their education.
