CM distributes laptops, Honhaar scholarships among students in Attock

LAHORE, Nov 03 (APP): Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif distributed laptops and Honhaar scholarships among students at a ceremony held at COMSATS University, Attock, on Tuesday, with students from Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, also benefiting from the education support initiatives.
Students from KP appreciated the Punjab government for extending the scholarship programme beyond provincial boundaries, saying the financial assistance had enabled them to pay semester fees amounting to nearly Rs200,000, said a handout issued here.
At the ceremony, the chief minister distributed laptops and scholarship cheques among students. She was also presented with portraits and sketches prepared by students.
A total of 6,161 laptops were distributed among students across the Rawalpindi division. These included 628 laptops for public university students, 257 for private university students, 461 for medical colleges, 375 for nursing colleges, 17 for special education institutions and 423 for colleges under the Higher Education Department.
Under the Honhaar Scholarship Programme, 2,590 scholarships worth Rs196.97 million were awarded to students in the Rawalpindi division. Of these, 2,085 scholarships worth Rs170.21 million were allocated to students of public universities, while 314 scholarships worth Rs19.8 million went to students of medical universities and colleges. Another 191 scholarships worth Rs6.96 million were awarded to students of HED colleges.
The programme covers students enrolled in public and private universities, federally chartered universities, BS colleges, special education institutions, and medical and dental colleges.
The chief minister has increased the number of laptops allocated for deserving students from 40,000 to 112,000. So far, 48,292 laptops have been distributed among students in different districts of Punjab.
Under the first three phases of the Honhaar Scholarship Programme, 108,000 students have received scholarships.
The ceremony was attended by elected representatives, party ticket-holders and other political leaders, whom the chief minister also met on the occasion.