The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan said today that it has confirmed that 98 undergraduate scholarships have been granted to students from the coastal areas of Balochistan, with a significant surge in interest highlighted by over 800 applications for the programme’s next phase.
According to official details, the awards are part of the “Coastal Region Higher Education Scholarships for Undergraduate Programmes for Balochistan”, an initiative established in the 2022-23 academic year. This scheme falls under the Government of Pakistan’s Southern Balochistan Development Package and is designed to improve access to quality higher education for young people holding domicile or local certificates from Gwadar, Lasbela, Kech (Turbet), and Awaran.
The primary objective of the scholarship scheme is to sponsor a total of 200 students for BS studies at HEC-recognised universities throughout Pakistan. To date, the 98 scholarships have been distributed across three separate batches, while the selection process for additional recipients is ongoing. This educational initiative, which is open to all academic disciplines, has notably enhanced higher education accessibility for learners from the coastal belt. It is reported to be particularly advantageous for underprivileged and female scholars from the region.
The initiative is also positioned to support emerging economic opportunities in the province, including projects associated with the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). It aims to foster educational inclusion, youth empowerment, and contribute to the sustainable development of the Balochistan region.