Punjab CM launches Honhar Scholarship Program phase-II
LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the second phase of the “Chief Minister’s Talented Scholarship Program” during a ceremony held at FAST University in Islamabad.
As part of this initiative, which stands as the largest scholarship program in Pakistan’s history, 30,000 students will receive scholarships annually.CM launches free solar panel scheme
During her address, the Chief Minister emphasized that the program allows bright students to pursue higher education at top institutions without financial constraints.
She announced that the provincial government is committed to increasing the number of scholarships from 30,000 to 50,000.
The program, launched with a budget of PKR 100 million, aims to grant scholarships to 120,000 students in private universities over the next four years.
Maryam Nawaz affirmed that the Punjab government will cover 100% of educational expenses for eligible students under this program. She highlighted that students from 65 universities, 12 medical and dental colleges, and 359 colleges across Punjab are benefiting from the scholarships.
To ensure transparency, she explained, all applications were submitted and processed through an online portal, with a strict commitment to merit-based selection.
The Chief Minister revealed that today, 2,570 students from the Rawalpindi Division received scholarships, including 1,660 for public university students and 637 for federal university students, with additional scholarships for students in private universities.
She also announced the establishment of an Education City in Lahore, which will invite top global universities to open their campuses, offering world-class education locally. The government is already providing electric bikes to students and plans to distribute 100,000 e-bikes next year.
Moreover, she shared plans to offer loans of up to PKR 300 million to fresh graduates to support startups. The government also intends to award international scholarships to facilitate higher education opportunities at renowned universities abroad.
Maryam Nawaz advised students to stay focused on their education and avoid becoming part of politically motivated smear campaigns.
Addressing the country’s economic situation, she highlighted positive developments, including rising stock market trends and declining inflation, which she attributed to the government’s sincere efforts and dedication.
