PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Friday launched a scholarship programme for the students enrolled in higher educational institutions under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Education Foundation (KPEF).

A ceremony to this effect was held at the Chief Minister’s secretariat here.

Minister for higher education Meena Khan Afridi, secretary higher education Kamran Ahmad Afridi, KPEF managing director Zariful Maani, and other officials were also in attendance, according to a statement.

Under the programme, scholarships would be provided to 204 students based on merit and affordability. The initiative will cost Rs20 million during the current fiscal year. Through these scholarships, students from the province will be able to get free education in different higher educational institutions across the country.

Speaking on this occasion, Mr Gandapur also announced special scholarships for students from under-developed districts of the province. He said his government would provide an additional amount of Rs100 million as seed money for this purpose. “This will enhance the scholarship seed money from Rs300 million to Rs400 million. The additional Rs100 million will be exclusively allocated for scholarships for students from underprivileged areas.”

The chief minister emphasised that promoting education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was the top priority of his government. He said the seed money for the Chief Minister’s Education Endowment Fund had also been enhanced from Rs1.2 billion to Rs2.4 billion, while a separate fund of Rs2 billion had been established for the Education Card in the province.

Later, the chief minister chaired the 41st meeting of KPEF board of directors, where various agenda items were discussed and approved.

Briefing the chief minister regarding the endowment fund, Zareeful Maani highlighted that Rs100 million seed money was given 20 years ago and then no increase was made, which affected the deserving students, an official privy to the meeting told Dawn.

The chief minister announced additional Rs100 million increase in endowment fund.

The KPEF managing director said the office of the foundation had been functioning in a rented building for last 20 years as its three-kanal plot had not been utilised.

He requested the establishment of a pre-fabricated structure, which the meeting approved, allocating Rs21 million, the official said.

Mr Maani also said digitisation of the functions of the foundation was completed in record three months’ time.

Published in Dawn, February 1st, 2025