ISLAMABAD: In line with the mandate to expand access to quality higher education, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan is awarding a large number of scholarships to Balochistan and erstwhile FATA students under the project entitled “Provision of Higher Education Opportunities for Students of Balochistan and FATA,” through a rigorously meritorious process.
Till date, HEC has awarded 8,343 scholarships to the talented students of underprivileged areas of Balochistan and erstwhile FATA.
As many as 4,583 students from Balochistan and erstwhile FATA have completed their studies and are now contributing to the socio-economic development of Pakistan. The remaining scholars are currently on board and will soon complete their studies to play an active role in the country’s socio-economic development.
The selection of 1,000 undergraduate scholarships for the session 2025-26 is in the final stage and will be finalised soon. Moreover, for the academic session 2026-27, another 1,000 undergraduate scholarships will be awarded.
Since 2007, HEC has expanded higher education access in Balochistan & erstwhile FATA, awarding over 8,000+ scholarships across phases, with 1,000 more coming in 2026-27.
Investing in talent. Reducing regional disparity.#HEC #Balochistan #FATA #Scholarships pic.twitter.com/q1bpj2326D
— HEC Pakistan (@hecpkofficial) March 4, 2026
A landmark initiative since 2007
The project “Provision of Higher Education Opportunities for Students of Balochistan & FATA (President Directives)”, approved in October 2007, was launched to provide 2,000 scholarships to talented and deserving students from Balochistan and FATA. Of these scholarships, 1,300 were allocated for undergraduate (BS four/five years) programmes and 700 for postgraduate (MSc two years) studies.
The project was completed, and PC-IV has been duly submitted. The initiative played a significant role in expanding access to higher education for the youth of these underserved regions, contributing to human resource development and socio-economic uplift of Balochistan and erstwhile FATA.
Phase-II: Expanding opportunities
The project phase-II, approved by CDWP in October 2015, aimed to award 3,500 (2,500 Undergraduate and 1,000 Postgraduate) scholarships. Since then, 3,341 (2,517 undergraduate and 824 postgraduate) energetic and deserving scholars have benefited from this phase. Among them, 2,581 (1,957 undergraduate and 624 postgraduate) have completed their studies and are contributing to the overall economic and social growth of the country.
Besides, 760 (570 undergraduate and 190 postgraduate) scholars are currently enrolled and are expected to graduate by June 2027.
Phase-III: Continuing the momentum
The project Phase-III, approved in January 2023, aims to award 5,000 undergraduate scholarships to talented and motivated youth from these underserved regions. To date, 3,000 scholarships have been awarded, with 2,531 energetic scholars currently pursuing their studies. The award of 1,000 additional scholarships (Batch-IV) is in process. Moreover, additional 1,000 scholarships will be advertised for the Academic Session 2026-27.
The initiative reaffirms the Government of Pakistan’s commitment through HEC to empowering meritorious and underprivileged youth of Balochistan and erstwhile FATA, ensuring they have equal opportunities to contribute to the nation’s progress and prosperity.
