In a major step to foster bilateral ties and strengthen educational cooperation, Pakistan has announced the launch of the third batch of Phase III of the fully-funded Allama Iqbal Scholarships for Afghan nationals.
The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan will administer 4,500 scholarships for Afghan youth to pursue undergraduate, master’s, and PhD studies at leading universities across the country. The program covers critical fields such as medicine, engineering, agriculture, management sciences, social sciences, and computer science—areas vital for Afghanistan’s national development.
The scholarships offer a comprehensive package, including full tuition fee waivers, monthly living stipends, hostel expenses, book allowances, and a one-time travel allowance, ensuring recipients can focus entirely on their education.
Named after renowned poet-philosopher Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal, who holds deep cultural significance in both Pakistan and Afghanistan, the initiative is designed to empower Afghan youth through quality higher education while enhancing people-to-people ties between the two nations.
Eligibility requirements vary across programs. Undergraduate applicants must have completed 12 years of education and be between 17 and 23 years old. Master’s candidates must be under 35 with a 16-year degree and at least a 2.5 CGPA, while PhD applicants must hold an MPhil/MS degree with a 3.0 CGPA.
A key condition requires awardees to sign an agreement with the Government of Pakistan to return to Afghanistan upon completing their studies. Scholarships will be awarded strictly on merit.
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Applications are open online through the HEC portal until September 30, 2025, with no hard copy submissions accepted. The Allama Iqbal Scholarship program reflects Pakistan’s continued commitment to supporting Afghanistan’s stability and development by nurturing its future leaders and professionals through education.