The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has initiated the third phase of the Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarships Programme, unveiling a commitment to award 4500 scholarships to Afghan Nationals over a span of three years. Minister made the announcement for Federal Education and Professional Training Mr. Madad Ali Sindhi during the graduation ceremony for 281 Afghan Nationals who successfully completed their studies in Phase-II of the Programme at the HEC Secretariat.
The graduates, hailing from 25 universities across Pakistan, were awarded Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in various fields such as Medicine, Engineering, Agriculture, Management, and Computer Science. Notably, the Scholarship Project has already granted scholarships to 6000 Afghan students during its initial two phases.
Addressing the Afghan students, the Minister stressed the importance of their role in contributing to Afghanistan’s development upon their return. Encouraging them to utilize their intellectual capabilities, he urged the students to identify and address the challenges facing their nation.
Chairman HEC Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, in his congratulatory message, praised the students for their hard work and dedication, recognizing their achievements and resilience in overcoming various obstacles. Acknowledging the close bond between Pakistan and Afghanistan, he emphasized the responsibility Pakistan bears in supporting its neighboring nation and urged the students to consider themselves as ambassadors fostering prosperity for their home country.
Special Representative on Afghanistan (SRA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Asif Durrani, highlighted the profound impact of education on societal development and emphasized the crucial role of educated individuals in facilitating informed decision-making and overall progress. He underscored the significant relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan, emphasizing the positive impact it would have on their shared future.
