Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has announced the revival of the Ehsaas Scholarship Program through provincial funding, aiming to support deserving students and strengthen higher education across the province.
Speaking at the University of Peshawar’s convocation, the chief minister said the provincial government remains committed to expanding access to education and improving the quality of higher education institutions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Afridi said the government inherited serious financial challenges in the higher education sector and had taken immediate steps to stabilise public universities after assuming office. He added that improving the financial health of universities remains a top priority.
According to the chief minister, pension liabilities accumulated between 2017 and June 2026 have been fully cleared. He also stated that the combined financial deficit of public universities has been reduced from nearly Rs9 billion to around Rs4.5 billion.
The provincial government has also increased financial support for public universities in the current fiscal year. Funding has been raised from Rs10 billion in the previous budget to Rs12 billion, providing additional resources for educational institutions across the province.
Afridi said the increased allocation would help universities improve teaching standards, strengthen research activities, and enhance the overall quality of education. He added that investing in higher education is essential for preparing skilled graduates and supporting long-term provincial development.
The revival of the Ehsaas Scholarship Program is expected to provide financial assistance to deserving students who face difficulties in continuing their education due to economic challenges. The initiative aims to ensure that talented students have greater access to higher education opportunities.
The provincial government says it will continue introducing reforms and increasing investment in the education sector to strengthen universities, improve academic standards, and expand educational opportunities for students throughout Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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