ISLAMABAD: In a meeting held at the Old PIPS Hall, the Minority Caucus, chaired by Senator Danesh Kumar, discussed the state of scholarship opportunities for minority students in Pakistan. The meeting was attended by several Members of Parliament, including Poonjo Bheel and Mahesh Kumar Malani, alongside officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Higher Education Commission (HEC), and other governmental bodies.

According to Senate of Pakistan, the meeting featured a briefing from a representative of HEC, who outlined current scholarship policies in universities. It was noted that Quaid-i-Azam University extends scholarships based on merit and need, rather than quotas, and currently does not have specific allocations for minority students. The meeting was also informed about the discontinued Ehsaas Programme, which previously awarded scholarships to minority students, benefiting 660 male and 253 female students in the first batch, and 592 male and 271 female students in the second.

The HEC representative detailed the annual fund allocations by universities for scholarships, which are managed by dedicated committees that assess students’ academic and financial status. Scholarships are awarded based on merit and need, with particular focus on orphans and financially disadvantaged students. It was highlighted that 119 universities are registered with the HEC, with the Government allocating approximately Rs. 65 billion for scholarships.

The Caucus requested detailed records from the HEC on scholarships awarded over the past three years, especially those provided to minority students. Appreciation was expressed for the Government of Balochistan’s efforts in minority welfare, and further details were sought on expenditures for worship place renovations and scholarships for minority children at schools. MNA Dr. Nelson Azeem called for improvements in university facilities to support students’ holistic development, while the meeting acknowledged the provincial responsibilities following the 18th Constitutional Amendment.