DHAKA, Bangladesh: Pakistan has launched the second phase of the Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarships, offering fully funded higher education opportunities to 500 students from Bangladesh as part of the expanding Pakistan–Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor.
The announcement was made at the inauguration of the Pakistan Education Expo 2026 in Dhaka, where representatives from 20 leading Pakistani universities gathered to showcase academic programmes ranging from engineering and medicine to social sciences and humanities.
The Knowledge Corridor initiative, which now enters its second phase, was first established in August 2025 following a visit by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar to Bangladesh.
During that visit, Dar announced a total of 500 scholarships, a commitment that has now been renewed and expanded with the second phase, effectively doubling the number of Bangladeshi students who will benefit from Pakistani higher education institutions.
The Expo, organised by the Pakistan High Commission in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, drew thousands of students and academics to Dhaka’s premier hotel venue. Bangladesh’s Education Minister, Dr. A.N.M. Ehsanul Hoque Milon, inaugurated the event, joined by senior education officials, university Vice Chancellors, and a large contingent of students eager to explore opportunities abroad.
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A transformative educational bridge
Addressing the gathering, Education Minister Dr. Milon described the Knowledge Corridor as a game-changer for bilateral academic relations. “This initiative opens new avenues for research cooperation and academic mobility between our two countries,” he said, adding that the fully funded scholarships represent a generous commitment to Bangladesh’s youth development.
He expressed optimism that the programme would produce a new generation of scholars equipped to tackle shared regional challenges.
Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Imran Haider, underscored the programme’s significance in strengthening institutional linkages.
He revealed that students from the first phase had already begun their studies at prominent Pakistani universities and were thriving in the academic environment. “This is not just about scholarships, it is about building enduring people-to-people ties and fostering joint research partnerships that will benefit both nations for decades to come,” Haider stated.
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Enthusiastic student response
The Expo witnessed an overwhelming turnout, with students queuing at university stalls to inquire about admissions, faculty expertise, research facilities, and campus life in Pakistan.
Many expressed particular interest in programmes in information technology, agricultural sciences, and renewable energy, fields where Pakistan has developed significant academic expertise.
Read Also: Pakistan Announces 500 Fully Funded Scholarships for Bangladesh Students
With 20 universities participating and 500 scholarships now on offer under the second phase, the Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarships initiative is set to become one of the largest bilateral academic mobility programmes in South Asia.
Officials from both countries expressed confidence that the programme would not only deepen educational cooperation but also contribute to the broader vision of regional connectivity and mutual understanding.
