ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has abolished education expenses for students of Balochistan and former FATA enrolled at Islamia University Bahawalpur.

The Prime Minister’s Office has described the decision as a big gift for the student of Balochistan and ex-FATA, and on his directives, the students expelled from the university were also reinstated and notices issued by the university to them have been withdrawn.

The government has decided to pick up 50 percent of the expenses on account of education of Balochistan and ex-FATA students enrolled at Islamia University, Bahawalpur.

The notification to this effect issued by the university was also shared by the Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday. As per the notification the remaining 50 percent will be borne by Islamia University, Bahawalpur from its own sources.

Students of Balochistan, and formerly erstwhile FATA enrolled at the Islamia University, Bahawalpur would not be charged fees and dues.

The notification added that in order to encourage and facilitate the youth from Balochistan and ex-FATA to acquire higher education and promote national integration and nation-building, and as per the policy decision of the government, Islamia University, Bahawalpur will not charge any dues from the students of Balochistan and ex-FATA enrolled at the Islamia University, Bahawalpur.

A meeting on Wednesday was chaired by the Governor Punjab, Chancellor, Islamia University, Bahawalpur and attended by Minister of Federal Education and Professional Training, Vice Chancellor, Islamia University, Bahawalpur, Secretary Federal Education and Professional Training and Executive Director, Higher Education Commission (HEC), and members of political leadership from Balochistan took this decision.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2022