LAHORE: Announcing a four-year scholarship programme for students of Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and FATA, Punjab Governor Chaudhary Mohammad Sarwar said on Friday that every year 3200 students of these areas will be given 100% scholarship and 16852 students will be given 50% scholarship in the universities of Punjab.

While addressing a press conference, here at Governor's House today, the Governor said, "We have also solicited scholarship programmes from Aitchison and Cadet Colleges for these students."

He assured that the students from Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and FATA would not be expelled from the university due to non-payment of fee. Unfortunately, during the last 10 years, federal or Punjab governments had not provided scholarship funds for students from Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and FATA, which has led universities to end their scholarship programmes for students of these areas. But now the Punjab government has announced to give Rs20 million annually in the first phase which will be enhanced to Rs80 million in next four years, he added.

The Governor said that all public universities of Punjab will provide 50% scholarship at their own expense and 50% discount will also be given in hostel fee. I also visited Balochistan on the issue of scholarships where I met the Governor, CM and Education Minister of Balochistan and it was resolved that the students who will be given 50% scholarship in the universities of Punjab will be given the remaining 50% scholarship by the government of Balochistan and these students will not have to pay any money.

He also thanked Gohar Ejaz, Mian Ahsan, Mian Talat, Anwar Ghani and Javed Bhatti for their hard work in the social sector who announced to give 100% scholarship to 200 students every year and to 800 students in four years. He said that out of private universities, UMT will give 100% scholarship to 216 students annually and the University of Lahore will also give 100% scholarship to 216 students. Under the leadership of Dr Amjad Saqib, the Akhuwat Foundation will give 100% scholarships to 400 students annually.

Replying to a question, he said that Punjab University will also give 100% scholarship to 100 students annually as well as Rs3000 per month and other public universities, Friends of Lahore will give 100% scholarship to 3200 students annually and 16852 students will receive 50 percent scholarships.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020