On December 23, 2024, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif inaugurated the second phase of the “Chief Minister Honhar Scholarship Program” at a ceremony held at FAST National University of Computer and Engineering Sciences in Islamabad.
This initiative, the largest scholarship program in Pakistan’s history, aims to provide financial assistance to 30,000 students annually, totaling 120,000 scholarships over the next four years.
Program Details
The program is designed to support talented students pursuing higher education in Punjab. It covers 100% of educational expenses for eligible students across 65 universities, 12 medical and dental colleges, and 359 colleges in the province, encompassing 68 disciplines.
Eligibility Criteria
- Age: Under 22 years
- Domicile: Punjab
- Parental Income: Below Rs. 300,000 per month
Applications are processed through an online portal to ensure transparency, with a multi-tiered scrutiny process involving institutional, provincial, and steering committees.
BISP Stipend Reverification 2025
Recent Scholarship Awards
During the ceremony, scholarships were awarded to students from various institutions:
| Institution | Number of Scholarships |
|---|---|
| University of Punjab | 2,473 |
| Rawalpindi Division Students | 2,570 |
| UET Lahore | 1,886 |
Notably, 60% of the scholarships are reserved for female students, reflecting the government’s commitment to empowering women through education.
Future Initiatives
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz announced plans to establish an Education City in Lahore, inviting top international universities to set up campuses, and an AI institution in Nawaz Sharif IT City Lahore to offer education in fields like Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity.
Additionally, there are plans to offer international scholarships for students to pursue higher education at renowned global universities.
Conclusion
The launch of the second phase of the Honhar Scholarship Program underscores the Punjab government’s dedication to enhancing educational opportunities for deserving students. By alleviating financial barriers, the program aims to empower the youth, foster academic excellence, and contribute to the nation’s progress.
