ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has paid scholarships to 4,893 minority students in last 2.5 years, said an official.
Talking to APP, he said the ministry has paid Rs 77.49 million as scholarship to the deserving students. A sum of Rs 25 million has been allocated during financial year 2015-16 for onward distribution among the minority students.
Several applications of scholarships are under process right now, he said adding that scholarships worth Rs 57.09 million had been distributed 2,347 minority students during financial year 2014-15.
The ministry regularly offers scholarships to orphans, destitute, needy and poor minority students having good educational record from primary to professional levels.
According to an official, the primary level minority students are being paid Rs 400 per month as scholarship, secondary level Rs 600 per month, intermediate level Rs 1400, degree students Rs 2,000 and post graduate level students are being paid Rs 5,000 per month as scholarships to enable them to pursue their studies without any hurdle.
The ministry offers scholarships to regular students of Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Buddhists, and other communities, having at least 50 percent marks in their last annual examination are eligible for the scholarships, he said.
The main aim of scholarships was to provide equal opportunities to compete in the world.
Also, he said the monthly income of parent/guardian of school level applicants must not exceed from Rs 10,000 per month. Likewise, the income of higher classes’ student parents should not cross Rs 20,000 per month.
The heads of educational institutions of the applicants have been authorized to forward the applications after checking veracity of documents of the guardian/parent of the student.
The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony has also enhanced the Financial Assistance to minorities from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000. The financial assistance is being granted to minority individual once in a financial year.
He said the deserving girls of minority community are being paid Rs 50,000 dowry grant.
The ministry continue showing solidarity with minorities on the occasion of their religious festivals including Christmas, Easter and Holy since last many years, he said.
Source: APP
