Pakistan launches second phase of Allama Iqbal Scholarships for Bangladeshi students
Dhaka: Pakistan launched the second phase of the Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarships for Bangladeshi students on May 11 under the Pakistan–Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor initiative.
The program was inaugurated alongside the Pakistan Education Expo 2026 at a hotel in the capital, organized by the Pakistan High Commission in Bangladesh in collaboration with the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, read a press release.
Representatives from 20 leading Pakistani universities and educational institutions participated in the expo, showcasing scholarship opportunities and higher education programs for students from Bangladesh.
The Pakistan–Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor was initiated following the visit of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar to Bangladesh in August 2025, during which he announced 500 scholarships for Bangladeshi students.
The initiative reflects the shared vision of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to strengthen educational cooperation, youth development, and academic collaboration between the two countries.
Bangladesh Education Minister Dr. A.N.M. Ehsanul Hoque Milon inaugurated the expo. Senior officials from the Ministry of Education, vice-chancellors and principals of leading universities and colleges, representatives of Pakistani universities, journalists, and students attended the event.
Speaking at the program, Education Minister Milon said the Pakistan–Bangladesh Knowledge Corridor would create new opportunities for educational and research cooperation between the two countries and further strengthen bilateral academic relations.
He welcomed the initiative and said the opportunity for Bangladeshi students to pursue quality higher education in Pakistan under fully funded scholarships was “highly commendable.”
Pakistan High Commissioner to Bangladesh Imran Haider described the initiative as a landmark step toward building long-term academic and institutional ties between the two countries.
He said Bangladeshi students had already started studying at leading Pakistani universities under the first phase of the program and expressed hope that educational exchanges would further strengthen bilateral relations and people-to-people connections.
He also said the program would create new opportunities for academic mobility, joint research, and institutional partnerships.
Following the Dhaka event, similar education expos will be held in Barishal on May 12, Rajshahi on May 14, Sylhet on May 17, Chittagong on May 18, and Rangpur on May 20 to reach students across Bangladesh.
The event drew strong participation from students and academics and was widely appreciated as an important initiative to deepen educational cooperation between Bangladesh and Pakistan.
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