ISLAMABAD - The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has approved 1000 scholarships to needy students from different parts of Pakistan under the HEC merit and need-based scholarship programme.
The first meeting of scholarship management committee held here at HEC headquarters Islamabad which was presided over by Dr. Nasser Ali Khan, HEC Member (O&P). The selected students are enrolled in various disciplines at different public sector higher education institutions HEIs located in various parts of Pakistan.
About five billion rupees would be spent for this initiative under which special emphasis has been given to the students belonging to Balochistan, FATA, interior Sindh and Southern Punjab to support education of maximum number of academically qualified needy students from the very poor segments of the country. 
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Nasser Ali Khan said that the HEC need based scholarship programme has been designed especially to provide financial support from HEC recurring budget to Pakistani students who are facing difficulties in securing admission at HEIs because of financial constraints.
He further said that HEC intends to award about 6000 scholarships during the period of three years under this program so that equitable access to higher education may be encouraged.
The meeting was attended by Prof. Dr. Riaz Hussain Qureshi, Advisor Human Resource Development Division, HEC, Prof. Dr. Mansoor Akber Kundi Vice Chancellor Gomal University D.I Khan, Prof Samina Amin Qadir Vice Chancellor Fatima Jinnah University Rawalpindi, Prof Dr Khalid Khan former Vice Chancellor PMAS Arid University, Prof Jamila Qazi Registrar SBKWU Quetta while Director IBA Sukkar attended meeting through video conferencing. The representatives of twenty public sectors were also present on the occasion.