Pakistan has earmarked Rs7.35 billion for extending scholarships to 3,000 Afghan students in the Federal budget.
Now that the federal budget is to be announced on June 10, a striking figure from the PSDP has emerged. For 3,000 Allama Iqbal scholarships for Afghan students, the government has allocated Rs7.35bn. It is a clear sign that Pakistan is determined to promote education and open avenues for linking with its immediate neighbouring areas.
Approval of the programme was given in the 2017 meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), demonstrating Pakistan’s commitment to education in the region. Pakistan is supporting human capital investment in Afghanistan, and it is not only contributing to the country’s development but also fostering a deep bond and friendship with the region.
Allama Iqbal Scholarships aim to promote ties between people and help develop Afghanistan’s human resources. As a result of these scholarships, Afghan students will gain access to higher education in Pakistan and create skills that can contribute to the country’s reconstruction.
Apart from providing better education, it reassures the country’s allies. It demonstrates that Pakistan is committed to regional stability and views educational exchange as a vital component of its soft diplomacy. In this way, Pakistan aims to strengthen ties and promote peace in the region.
The way the PSDP is split also demonstrates that the United States places importance on education in both its foreign policy and its interactions with other states. When regions are changing, such steps become very important for developing cooperation, trust, and lasting alliances.
In other words, allocating Rs. 7.35 billion for Allama Iqbal scholarships is significant since it benefits future harmony and progress in the region. Pakistan’s efforts to improve education for peace and growth demonstrate excellent leadership in the area.