Dhaka: The second phase of the Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarships under the Pakistan-Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor was launched alongside the Pakistan Education Expo 2026 in Dhaka. The event, organized by the Pakistan High Commission Bangladesh and the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, aimed to showcase scholarship and higher education opportunities for Bangladeshi students through the participation of 20 leading Pakistani universities and institutions.
According to Press Information Department, the Pakistan-Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor was established following the visit of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar, to Bangladesh in August 2025. During this visit, he announced the provision of 500 scholarships for Bangladeshi students. The initiative aligns with the vision of Pakistan’s Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, and Bangladesh’s Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Tarique Rahman, to enhance educational collaboration and youth development between the two nations.
The Expo was inaugurated by Bangladesh’s Education Minister, Dr. A.N.M. Ehsanul Hoque Milon, and attended by senior education officials, university leaders, Pakistani university representatives, journalists, and numerous students. Dr. Milon highlighted the potential for educational and research cooperation between the countries and praised the fully funded scholarships offered to Bangladeshi students.
High Commissioner Imran Haider emphasized the scholarships as a significant step in fostering academic and institutional links between Pakistan and Bangladesh. He mentioned that the first phase had already facilitated Bangladeshi students’ education in Pakistan and expressed optimism about the program’s impact on bilateral relations and people-to-people connections.
Following the Dhaka event, additional Education Expos are scheduled in Barishal, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Chittagong, and Rangpur to extend the program’s reach to students throughout Bangladesh. The event was well received for its role in advancing educational cooperation between the two countries.