Islamabad (Web Desk): Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Monday inaugurated the second phase of the "Chief Minister Honhar Scholarship Program" at a ceremony held at FAST University in Islamabad.
This initiative, recognized as one of the largest scholarship programmes in country’s history, will provide support to 30,000 students annually.
The goal of the programme is to ensure that financially disadvantaged yet talented students can pursue higher education in top institutions without the burden of financial constraints.
Addressing the event, the Punjab CM outlined the government's plan to expand the program, expressing a commitment to increase the number of scholarships from 30,000 to 50,000 students in the near future.
The scholarship scheme, which has been launched with an investment of Rs100 million, is designed to assist a total of 120,000 students over the next four years, fully covering their tuition fees.
Students from 65 universities, 12 medical and dental colleges, and 359 colleges in Punjab are eligible to receive the Chief Minister Honhar Scholarships.
Maryam Nawaz assured the audience that transparency would be a key principle in the selection process, with all applications submitted through an online portal, ensuring that merit is the sole criterion for awarding scholarships.
In addition to the scholarship programme, the Punjab CM also shared other plans to enhance educational opportunities in the province.
She revealed that the government is establishing an Education City in Lahore, where leading global universities will be invited to open campuses, offering world-class education to students in the region.
She added that the provincial government is set to distribute 100,000 electric bikes among students, starting next year, to ease their commute.
The Punjab CM also discussed plans to provide financial support for graduates looking to launch startups, with loans of up to Rs300 million to be made available.
She said that the government is also preparing to offer international scholarships, helping students pursue studies at renowned universities abroad.
Encouraging students to stay focused on their education, Maryam Nawaz advised them to avoid involvement in any political agendas or smear campaigns.
Turning to overall economic situation of the country, the Punjab CM highlighted the positive economic indicators of the country, noting that the stock market is on an upward trajectory and inflation is decreasing, which she attributed to the government’s sincere efforts and dedication to improving the country’s economy.
