Islamabad – June 27, 2025: In a significant step toward regional cooperation and educational diplomacy, over 300 Afghan students arrived in Pakistan this week to pursue higher education under the Allama Iqbal Scholarships Programme administered by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan.
The initiative is part of a broader Pak-Afghan educational support program, aiming to strengthen people-to-people ties and provide Afghan youth with access to quality academic opportunities amid ongoing challenges in their homeland.
Arrival and Orientation
The students, comprising both male and female scholars, were warmly received by officials at Pakistani universities across Islamabad, Lahore, and Peshawar. Orientation sessions are being held to assist them with:
- Campus life and academic structure
- Visa, residency, and language support
- Cultural and legal awareness
“We are proud to support Afghan students during this critical time in their country’s history,” said an HEC representative.
“Education is the foundation for peace, stability, and long-term development.”
Allama Iqbal Scholarship Programme Overview
Launched in 2019, the Allama Iqbal Scholarships aim to:
- Provide fully funded undergraduate and postgraduate degrees to Afghan students
- Promote academic and research collaboration between Pakistan and Afghanistan
- Build a skilled Afghan workforce for reconstruction and governance
To date, over 4,500 Afghan students have benefitted from the program, studying in disciplines such as medicine, engineering, IT, social sciences, and agriculture.
Regional and Diplomatic Impact
Analysts view the program as an example of soft diplomacy aimed at:
- Strengthening bilateral ties between Islamabad and Kabul
- Countering regional instability through education and youth empowerment
- Encouraging long-term peace and integration through academic exchange
The arrival of the latest batch comes at a time when Afghanistan faces educational restrictions, particularly for women, making Pakistan’s initiative especially vital.
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