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Pakistan offers 4,500 scholarships for Afghan students
At a time when Pakistan is forcibly deporting undocumented Afghan nationals, the education ministry has launched the third phase of a scholarship programme to help Afghan students pursue higher education in the country.
“The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has launched the 3rd phase of the Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarships Programme for Afghan Nationals. Under this new phase, 4500 scholarships will be awarded to Afghan students over three years to study at ‘top-ranked’ Pakistani universities,” said the caretaker education minister, Madad Ali Sindhi.
He made these remarks while speaking at a graduation ceremony of 281 Afghan students who completed their studies under the phase-II of the programme, Dawn newspaper reported.
These students graduated from 25 universities across Pakistan and received their Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in various disciplines, including medicine, engineering, agriculture, management and computer science. As many as 6,000 Afghan students were awarded scholarships during the first two phases.
Addressing the students, the caretaker minister emphasised that “this moment is the start of a new chapter in their lives”. He asked them to embrace the “increased sense of responsibility upon their return to Afghanistan”. The caretaker minister urged them to “identify challenges facing Afghanistan and utilise their intellectual capabilities to seek solutions”.
Sindhi emphasized the vital need for capacity building of Afghan students and faculty. He also acknowledged the crucial role of HEC in the provision of higher education opportunities for Afghan students via scholarships in Pakistan.
Earlier, HEC Chairman Mukhtar Ahmed congratulated the students on their achievements, commending them for their hard work and dedication. He appreciated the Afghan students who secured first positions in their respective degree programmes and acknowledged all the students for standing strong against numerous challenges as well.
Mukhtar also highlighted the importance of networking in career development, and encouraged the students to harness their potential, reminding them that “Pakistan is their second home”.
He underlined that Afghanistan deserves to flourish and become a developed nation. He applauded the vice chancellors for fostering an environment that “nurtures bright minds, ready to contribute effectively to their nation upon their return”.
Speaking on the occasion, Pakistan’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Asif Durrani, reflected on the “significant impact of such policies, where many Afghan alumni who pursued higher education opportunities in Pakistan are now actively contributing to various sectors in Afghanistan”. He extended his congratulations to the Afghan graduates and expressed hope that their return to Afghanistan would enable them to serve their nation effectively and take on diverse responsibilities.
He stressed that the knowledge and expertise these individuals acquired “will not only enlighten their families but will also foster informed decision-making in their professional and personal lives”.
He concluded by emphasizing the “symbiotic relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan, underscoring the cherished bond that exists between the two countries and the positive impact it will have on their shared future”.
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Turkish intelligence captures a Daesh member near the Durand Line
Turkish intelligence agents have captured a senior member of Daesh near the Durand Line, reportedly preventing planned suicide attacks in Turkey and other countries, according to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency on Monday.
The suspect, identified as Mehmet Goren, is a Turkish citizen. He was apprehended during a covert operation and transferred to Turkey. Details on the timing of the operation or the involvement of Afghan and Pakistani authorities were not disclosed.
According to the report, Goren had risen through the ranks of Daesh and was allegedly tasked with carrying out suicide bombings in Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Europe.
Daesh has a history of deadly attacks in Turkey, including the January 1, 2017 shooting at an Istanbul nightclub that killed 39 people.
Anadolu Agency reported that Goren’s arrest also provided intelligence on the group’s recruitment strategies and planned activities.
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Dozens of needy families in Kabul receive winter aid from Bayat Foundation
Dozens of needy families in Kabul’s fifth district have received essential winter assistance from the Bayat Foundation, as part of ongoing efforts to ease hardship during the cold season and worsening economic conditions.
According to foundation officials, the aid package includes staple food items such as flour, rice, and cooking oil, along with warm blankets to help families cope with freezing temperatures. Haji Mohammad Ismail, Deputy Head of Bayat Foundation, said the distribution began in Kabul and will soon be expanded to other provinces.
“Our assistance includes flour, rice, cooking oil, and blankets,” Ismail said. “Today, we started distributing these items in Kabul’s fifth district, and God willing, the aid will reach other provinces in the near future.”
Afghanistan continues to face widespread poverty, unemployment, and food insecurity, with many families struggling to meet basic needs, particularly during winter when access to work and heating becomes more difficult.Humanitarian organizations and charitable foundations have stepped up relief efforts to support those most affected.
Beneficiaries welcomed the assistance, describing it as a lifeline. “May God bless you for helping the poor. We had nothing and no work,” said one recipient. Another added, “Thank you for your help. Our flour was almost finished.”
Bayat Foundation officials stressed that winter aid distributions will continue in Kabul and other provinces in the coming days, as part of their broader commitment to supporting needy families across the country.
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Nearly seven million Afghan refugees return home since Islamic Emirate’s takeover
Since the Islamic Emirate came to power, approximately 6.8 million Afghans have returned home, either voluntarily or forcibly, from neighboring countries and other nations, according to the Minister of Refugees and Repatriation.
Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, speaking at a meeting on finalizing a draft plan for a permanent migration solution in Afghanistan, added that 1.3 million Afghans have been internally displaced due to natural disasters during the same period.
With winter approaching, widespread poverty and severe cold are threatening thousands of lives. Meanwhile, the forced expulsion of Afghan migrants from neighboring countries, particularly Iran and Pakistan, continues.
The Islamic Emirate has repeatedly urged neighboring states to allow migrants to return voluntarily. According to UNHCR, over two million Afghans have returned from Iran and Pakistan since the start of 2025.
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