The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has announced the revival of the Ehsaas Scholarship Program through provincial funding. The initiative aims to help deserving students continue their higher education while strengthening public universities across the province.
Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi made the announcement during the University of Peshawar’s convocation ceremony. He said the provincial government is committed to expanding access to quality education and supporting talented students facing financial challenges.
According to the chief minister, the Ehsaas Scholarship Program will now be financed through provincial resources. The move reflects the government’s plan to invest more in higher education and ensure that students from low-income families receive financial support.
Afridi said education remains one of the government’s top priorities. He added that improving universities and increasing opportunities for students are essential for the province’s long-term development.
The chief minister also highlighted the financial challenges faced by public universities when the current administration took office. He said the government immediately began working to stabilize the higher education sector and improve its financial position.
According to Afridi, pension liabilities accumulated between 2017 and June 2026 have now been fully cleared. This step has helped reduce financial pressure on public universities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He also revealed that the combined financial deficit of public universities has been reduced significantly. The shortfall has fallen from nearly Rs. 9 billion to around Rs. 4.5 billion after government intervention.
The provincial government has also increased financial assistance for universities in the latest budget. Funding has risen from Rs. 10 billion in the previous fiscal year to Rs. 12 billion in the current financial year.
Officials believe the additional funding will improve teaching standards, strengthen research activities, and enhance the overall academic environment at public universities. The investment is also expected to support infrastructure development and improve student services.
The revival of the Ehsaas Scholarship is expected to benefit thousands of deserving students who struggle to meet educational expenses. Financial assistance can help reduce dropout rates and encourage more young people to complete their university education.
Education experts have welcomed increased investment in universities, saying that stronger financial support can improve academic performance and expand opportunities for students across the province.
The announcement also reflects the government’s broader strategy to strengthen higher education institutions and build a skilled workforce. Better universities and scholarship opportunities are expected to contribute to economic and social development in the years ahead.
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The KP government says it will continue introducing measures that improve educational quality and expand access to higher learning. With the restoration of the Ehsaas Scholarship Program and increased university funding, officials hope more students will be able to pursue higher education without financial barriers.
