ISLAMABAD, Feb 12 (APP): Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Syed Imran Ahmad Shah Thursday underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to protecting the educational future of underprivileged students, stating that no talented youth would be allowed to abandon studies due to financial hardship.
During his visit to the National University of Modern Languages (NUML), the minister briefed the media on the scope, transparency and impact of educational scholarships being provided through Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, describing the initiative as a cornerstone of the government’s social protection framework.
He informed that under Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal’s Individual Financial Assistance (Education) Programme, more than 75,000 students across the country have received educational support since 2004, with total expenditures exceeding
PKR 2 billion.
The programme, he said, has ensured continuity of education for thousands of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Highlighting the government’s recent efforts in line with the vision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the minister said educational scholarships have been significantly enhanced.
From July 2024 to June 2025, financial assistance worth over PKR 290 million was provided to 8,059 students, while from July 2025 to February 2026, more than PKR 200 million has been disbursed among 5,519 students.
Syed Imran Ahmad Shah further announced that the annual ceiling of educational assistance has been increased from PKR 100,000 to 150,000 per student, enabling deserving learners to meet rising educational expenses.
He added that the number of scholarships would be expanded further in view of growing needs.
Sharing NUML-specific data, the minister said that from 2008 to 2026, a total of 6,739 students at NUML Islamabad have benefited from Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal assistance amounting to approximately PKR 240 million.
During the current financial year 2025–26 alone, 171 students have so far received around PKR 9 million in financial support.
“The state’s responsibility goes beyond paying fees — it is about ensuring that no student’s academic journey is disrupted because of poverty,” he emphasized.
The minister also highlighted Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal’s Medical Assistance Programme, under which deserving students suffering from serious illnesses are being supported.
He said the financial assistance ceiling has been enhanced from PKR 1 million to PKR 1.5 million per patient to facilitate timely medical treatment.
Earlier, Rector NUML Major General (Retd.) Shahid Mahmood Kiyani briefed the Minister on the university’s collaboration with Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, noting that under the Memorandum of Understanding signed in February 2023, at least 250 students are provided educational scholarships each year.
Concluding his visit, Syed Imran Ahmad Shah reaffirmed that the government would continue to assess social protection initiatives not merely in terms of spending, but through their real and measurable impact on the lives of deserving citizens.