Islamabad: In a significant step to strengthen educational ties with Afghanistan, the Afghanistan Central Asia/Azerbaijan Inter-governmental Coordination Cell (ACICC), chaired by Ambassador Sadiq, has announced the launch of the second tranche of the third phase of the Allama Iqbal Scholarships Programme. This initiative offers 4,500 fully funded scholarships over the next three years for Afghan students pursuing graduate, post-graduate, and PhD studies in various fields, including medicine, engineering, and agriculture.
During January, over 22,000 Afghan applicants will take an online test, followed by interviews to finalize the selection. Officials expect to conclude the entire selection process within 45 days, ensuring a streamlined and efficient allocation of scholarships.
A notable feature of this phase is the allocation of 33% of the scholarships exclusively for female students. This reflects Pakistan’s commitment to promoting gender equality in education. The Allama Iqbal Scholarships Programme is widely recognized as the largest and most popular foreign scholarship initiative for Afghan students. Officials and stakeholders continue to foster goodwill and educational development across the border through this programme.
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Prominent figures attended the meeting to announce this phase. These included the Chairman of Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, and senior officials from relevant ministries and departments.
Ambassador Sadiq highlighted that the programme is an essential pillar of Pakistan’s efforts to support Afghanistan’s youth. He emphasized education as a tool for empowerment and regional connectivity.
