Federal Finance Minister Ishaq Dar here on Wednesday launched Prime Minister's Fee Reimbursement Scheme for youth of the less developed areas of the country. Ishaq Dar, who was the chief guest of the inaugural ceremony held at Governor House, said "Realising youth as an asset of the country, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif led PML government launched six programmes for youth, the fee reimbursement is one of them."
The ceremony was attended by Balochistan Governor, Mohammad Khan Achakzai, Balochistan Chief Minister, Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, Federal Minister for SAFRON, General Abdul Qadir Baloch (Retd), Minister for State for Higher Education, Engr Balighur Rehman, Chairman Higher Education Commission, Professor Dr Mokhtar Ahmed, Balochistan Senior Minister, Nawab Sanaullah Zehri, provincial ministers, MPAs, senior officials and a large number of university students. Ishaq Dar said to improve quality education, government has planned to bear the expenses of the students in less developed areas studying MA/MSC, M Phil and PHD programmes.
The Minister noted that Rs 1.20 billion has been earmarked for Fee Reimbursement Scheme and as many as 33,440 students of 59 districts of the country would be the beneficiaries including 5,948 students from 32 districts of Balochistan. Dar said that federal government is extending all-out support to the Balochistan government in its effort to overcome the economic crises and poor law and order situation.
Terming the progress of Balochistan as one of the top most priorities of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the Finance Minister said that incumbent government had launched various uplift schemes to bring prosperity in the province. Dar said Rs 162 billion has been allocated for the Pak-China Economic Corridor Project, adding completion of the Gadani Power Park Project and Gwadar-Khanjrab Road Project would usher into a new era of development in the region.
Giving credit to the policies of the current government, Finance Minister said that the international organisations who were concerned over the economic indicators of Pakistan have also commended our achievement in this connection. "We have put the economy on track to progress and there is industrial and agricultural revolution coming in the country."
Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch speaking on the occasion welcomed the federal government initiative and said it would be a breakthrough to achieve goal of quality education in the province. "Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif's commitment to bring Balochistan at par with other provinces in every field is evident," he said and assured that the provincial government fully supports the PM's vision for Balochistan.