Pak Govt to provide Rs 11bn package for Afghan students

Pakistan has resolved in principle to grant thousands of scholarships to Afghan students as part of its help package to the emerging Afghan government, in addition to establishing an Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) campus in Kabul.

In this regard, the Ministry of Education and Professional Training has approved a Rs11.2 billion program to boost the country's education system and developing skills.

As per ministry sources, the funds will be used to provide scholarships to 3,000 Afghan students at Universities in Pakistan, free training with stipends for 5,000 Afghan nationals for developing skills in Islamabad, free training for 150 Afghan educators, 100 nursing diploma scholarships, and the establishment of an AIOU regional campus in Kabul.

According to the sources, a draft of the package had already been given to Prime Minister Imran Khan for approval. Following a meeting between State officials and an Afghan delegation led by Minister for Higher Education Maulana Abdul Baqi Haqqani last week, the ministry has finalised the package on Minister for Education Shafqat Mahmood's order. The eight-member delegation is now in Pakistan and has already visited a number of education ministry subordinate organisations, including the HEC.