Pakistan to enrol more Afghan students on scholarship

Islamabad: Pakistan will double the number of Afghan students enrolled in its educational institutions from 3,000 to 6,000 in future providing them with the best possible opportunities of formal learning.

This was stated by President Mamnoon Hussain during a ceremony held at the Aiwan-i-Sadr to launch a documentary titled ‘The Real AfPak – Fighting Terrorism through Knowledge’.

The Afghan youths studying in Pakistan under the Allama Muhammad Iqbal scholarship programme offered by the government were present on the occasion. The president declared them ambassadors of their country and called upon them to use education to defeat forces that fomented mistrust between the two countries.

He said keeping in view of regional situation, Pakistan and Afghanistan as responsible nations, needed to take decisions for their peace. "Pakistan and Afghanistan are linked by the spirit of mutual respect and love based on blood relations, regional proximity, shared values and religious beliefs. "Despite recognized borders, the affection on both sides was similar and mentioned the launch of higher education programme for Afghan youth, keeping in view the same association," he said.

The president wished the students happiness and best of knowledge so that they could work for the progress, prosperity and stability of their country and region. “It is our sincere desire that you serve your country in various fields after completing education so that the loss suffered by Afghanistan during the last few decades, could be compensated and you could also play your part in the well-being of the entire humanity,” he said.

The president said he was happy to see that the Afghan students were being provided facilities and opportunities similar to Pakistani students through this scholarship.

He said the basic purpose of the scholarships awarded to Afghan students in Pakistan was to prepare them for the requirements of modern era.

Afghan ambassador Omar Zakhiwal, who was also in attendance, said the documentary was made to highlight fight against the mistrust and misunderstanding between Paksitan and Afghanistan. He said the Afghan youths studying in Pakistan would define the future of relationship between two countries and such exchanges would develop closer links.

On the occasion, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad said education was the only way for Pakistan and Afghanistan to minimize their sufferings and that the Allama Iqbal Scholarship programme would prove to be helpful in this regard.