RAWALPINDI, Jan 7: The federal government on Wednesday reaffirmed its commitment to expanding scholarship opportunities and strengthening support mechanisms for youth, as the Directorate of Financial Assistance and University Advancement at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) hosted an interactive session with Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM) scholarship awardees.

The session was attended by Syed Imran Ahmad Shah, Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, who was the chief guest at the event. He was received by Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman, along with university deans, directors, faculty members, and student representatives. The event aimed to strengthen collaboration between government institutions and universities to improve access to higher education for financially disadvantaged students.

In his welcome remarks, Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman highlighted the role of Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal in supporting students from low- and middle-income backgrounds. He said financial pressures often force capable students to interrupt their education, adding that PBM scholarships had enabled many to continue their studies without disruption. He also briefed the minister on the university’s academic, research, and community development initiatives, particularly in agriculture, sustainability, and rural development.

Addressing the gathering, the federal minister said the government was committed to ensuring equitable access to education across the country. He noted that through programs such as the Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal Scholarship, the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety was working to remove financial barriers for talented students.

“Youth are the most valuable asset of our nation, and no student should be deprived of education due to financial constraints,” he said, adding that the government planned to further expand scholarship programs and reinforce support systems for students.

Increased stipend, expanded coverage announced

During his address, the minister announced that there would be no limit on the number of scholarship awards for students of PMAS-AAUR. He said Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal had been directed to consider all scholarship applications received from the university to ensure that no deserving student was left out.

He also announced an increase in the annual scholarship stipend from Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 150,000, describing the move as part of broader efforts to enhance educational access and quality.

In his concluding remarks, the minister spoke about Pakistan’s international engagements, including cooperation related to the protection of the holy mosques in Saudi Arabia, and urged students to remain focused on their academic and professional development. He cautioned against misinformation and advised students to use social media responsibly.

At the end of the ceremony, scholarship cheques were distributed among selected students by the minister and the vice chancellor. Officials clarified that the scholarship funds were provided through a dedicated budget allocation and were not sourced from Zakat.

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