Islamabad, 6 June 2025: In a move to reinforce educational diplomacy and regional cooperation, the Government of Pakistan is set to allocate funds for 3,000 Scholarships to Afghan students under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the fiscal year 2024–25.
According to preliminary budget documents reviewed ahead of the June 10 federal budget presentation, Rs. 7.35 billion has been earmarked to support Afghan nationals through the Allama Iqbal Scholarship initiative.
The program, initially approved during the 2017 meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), reflects Pakistan’s sustained efforts to strengthen academic and cultural ties with its neighbor.
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The 3,000 Scholarships to Afghan students are part of a broader agenda to enhance regional stability by investing in Afghanistan’s future leadership and skilled workforce.
By enabling access to higher education in Pakistani universities, the initiative aims to build lasting people-to-people connections and contribute to long-term human resource development in the war-affected country.
This proposed allocation sits within the PSDP’s broader strategy to promote inclusive development and diplomatic goodwill through non-military instruments such as education.
Officials say the project represents a cornerstone of Pakistan’s regional engagement efforts, offering young Afghans educational opportunities in fields such as medicine, engineering, and social sciences.
READ MORE: Government Proposes Record Rs1.22 Trillion for PSDP
As regional tensions persist and migration pressures grow, policymakers are highlighting the importance of soft-power initiatives.
The 3,000 Scholarships to Afghan students, they argue, send a clear signal of Pakistan’s commitment to a peaceful and educated neighborhood.
Further details on the program are expected when the federal budget is officially unveiled on June 10.
