Islamabad, 6 June 2025: Scholarships to Kashmiri Students are set to feature prominently in Pakistan’s upcoming development agenda, as the federal government moves to allocate Rs. 2.05 billion for the initiative under the Public Sector Development Program (PSDP).
The funding, proposed ahead of the national budget announcement on June 10, aims to provide 1,600 educational scholarships to students hailing from Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.
According to official sources, this strategic move underscores Islamabad’s continued emphasis on extending academic opportunities to young people from the region, despite the complex geopolitical backdrop.
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While not explicitly stated, the initiative appears designed to reinforce Pakistan’s broader diplomatic narrative by showcasing a commitment to human development in the disputed territory.
Scholarships to Kashmiri Students are expected to enable recipients to access higher education institutions across Pakistan, offering them a platform for academic growth and socio-economic upliftment.
Education authorities believe this could help bridge longstanding disparities and contribute to long-term stability in the region.
The proposed allocation forms part of the PSDP, the central planning mechanism used to prioritize development projects in sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and technology.
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By including this scholarship program within the PSDP framework, the government signals a policy shift that places greater weight on educational inclusion for marginalized communities.
With the federal budget around the corner, analysts view this measure as both a social welfare effort and a calculated diplomatic gesture. Scholarships to Kashmiri Students may serve not only as academic support but also as a symbol of Pakistan’s soft-power strategy in the region.
