The Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, has introduced the Honhaar Scholarship Program, a landmark initiative aimed at supporting education for underprivileged yet talented students. The program’s budget of Rs. 130 billion highlights its scale and importance in shaping Punjab’s future.
Key Details of Eligibility
To qualify for the scholarship, students must fulfill these requirements:
- Domicile Requirement: Belong to any district within Punjab.
- Age Limit: Below 22 years at the time of application closure.
- Educational Status:
- Enrollment in recognized institutions for the fall 2024 session.
- Applicable for newly enrolled MBBS and BDS students.
- Income Cap: Monthly household income capped at Rs. 300,000 (verified through affidavit).
- Performance Benchmarks:
- Medical and top universities: 80% or higher.
- Public universities: Science (75%) and Arts (70%).
- HED colleges: Science (65%) and Arts (60%).
What Does the Program Offer?
The scholarship covers full tuition fees for four- and five-year undergraduate programs. With a goal to support 30,000 students annually, the initiative spans 68 disciplines, underscoring its extensive reach.
Massive Interest from Students
The response has been overwhelming, with over 68,000 applications received from students at 65 universities, 359 colleges, and 12 medical colleges. This indicates the high demand and trust placed in the initiative by the youth of Punjab.
Enhancing Citizen Services with “Maryam Ki Dastak”
The Maryam Ki Dastak program has now been rolled out to 10 additional districts, including Gujrat, Lodhran, and Rajanpur. This initiative is designed to streamline service delivery, offering efficient and citizen-friendly solutions across 32 districts, as stated by PITB Chairman Faisal Yousaf.
These programs underscore the government’s commitment to education and public service, aiming to transform Punjab into a beacon of progress and opportunity.
