LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced a new scholarship initiative aimed at providing higher education opportunities purely based on merit.
The program, called the Honhaar Scholarship, will allocate scholarships to 30,000 students annually across 68 subjects, backed by a substantial budget of Rs130 billion.
Information desks for the Honhaar Scholarship have been established in universities, making it easier for students to access details about the application process. The scholarships will be available to students enrolled in 50 public sector universities throughout Punjab, covering undergraduate programs for four to five years.
To determine eligibility, the program will weigh students’ academic performance with 30% coming from matriculation marks and 70% from intermediate examination scores. The selected candidates will receive full tuition coverage.
Eligibility is restricted to residents of Punjab who are under 22 years of age and come from low-income backgrounds.
Notably, students pursuing MBBS and BDS degrees are also encouraged to apply. Applications will open on Friday.
The primary aim of this scholarship program is to empower academically gifted students who lack the financial means to pursue higher education.
In a message for World Poverty Eradication Day, CM Maryam Nawaz emphasized that poverty is not merely an economic issue but stems from deficiencies in education, healthcare, and justice. This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to fostering educational equity and supporting youth in achieving their academic aspirations.
