Pakistan to raise scholarships for Afghan students

Pakistan's Ambassador to Afghanistan, Mohammad Sadiq said that Pakistan was according top priority to the development of education in Afghanistan as it could play significant role in promotion of harmony and peace in Afghanistan. 

He said Pakistan had offered significant educational opportunities to Afghan students to study in its universities and professional colleges. Pakistan would further increase the number of scholarships for Afghan students. 

He expressed these views during a meeting with a delegation of young Afghan journalists who had come from different provinces/regions of Afghanistan. 

While talking to the journalists, the Ambassador said Pakistan was committed to promoting long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan as a peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan was not only in the interest of Pakistan but of the entire region. 

The journalists held a long interactive session with the Ambassador and put many questions to him. He gave a comprehensive briefing to them about the Pak-Afghan ties in their historical perspective and highlighted the steps taken by Pakistan for the socio-economic uplift of Afghanistan particularly its contribution towards the promotion of education. 

He informed them that currently 7,000 Afghan students were studying in the universities and professional colleges of Pakistan. He said over 30,000 Afghans have completed their graduation/post-graduation from Pakistan's institutions and now playing active role in reconstruction of their country. He further stated that half a million Afghan refugee children are attending schools in Pakistan. 

The Ambassador said Pakistan had always stood by Afghanistan in difficult times and would continue to support its Afghan brothers. He told the journalists that media could play a vital role in shaping and influencing public opinion. 

The Ambassador underscored the importance of frequent exchanges between the media personnel of the two countries to promote trust and greater understanding between the two nations. (Monitoring Desk)