ISLAMABAD: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has approved a proposal to expand the Honhaar Scholarship programme for the students of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Spokesperson of Gilgit Baltistan government Faizullah Firaaq said in a statement that the Punjab government’s knowledge-friendly policy is commendable and that the Gilgit-Baltistan government is grateful for this goodwill gesture.
He said that students studying in the professional educational institutions of Punjab would be eligible for the scholarship scheme.Students can contact on WhatsApp, landline number and social media for information and prompt resolution of their complaints.
The ‘Honhaar Scholarship Help Desk’ was established on the directives of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, which would guide the students from 9 am to 5 pm.Honhaar Scholarship Helpline numbers are 042-99231903-4, WhatsApp on 0303-4002777 and 0303-4002999.
For Honhaar Scholarship, online complaints can be made at complainthonhaar@punjabhec.gov.pk and honhaar@punjabhec.gov.pk.
Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif said, “Talented students should only focus on studying while their fees are the responsibility of the government. I want to put all the resources at the disposal of students. Every student of Punjab is like my daughter and son, I think of them as a mother.”
Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah met Gilgit-Baltistan Chief Minister Haji Gulbar Khan when the latter called on the former at the CM House.
Khan requested Shah for an increase in the number of seats allocated for students from GB in Sindh’s medical and engineering colleges, highlighting that over 10,000 students from GB are currently studying in Karachi.
Shah assured Khan that he would personally review the matter of increasing seats for GB students at Sindh’s universities, particularly those imparting medical education.Khan said students of his province are facing accommodation issues at the hostels of Sindh’s universities. Shah promised Khan that his government would identify land and ensure the completion of the hostel project for GB’s students.
Shah said Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had directed him to establish a National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases centre in GB.Expressing his intentions to visit GB soon, Shah said he would make official declarations regarding the facilities his government would provide during his visit to the GB region.
Khan pointed out the shortage of general nurses at the public health facilities of GB and appreciated the Sindh government’s contributions to the region. He also commended the Sindh government’s outstanding progress in the health sector. Shah thanked Khan for his acknowledgement.
The meeting that highlighted cooperation between Sindh and GB, with a focus on improving education and healthcare facilities, was also attended by GB Excise Minister Haji Rehmat Khaliq and GB CM’s Special Assistant Hussain Shah.
