Punjab Announces Scholarships for Gilgit Baltistan Students
The Punjab government has approved more than Rs 60 million in Honhaar Scholarships for nearly 500 students from Gilgit Baltistan, expanding the provincial scholarship initiative to students outside Punjab. The selected students belong to seven educational institutions in Gilgit Baltistan, with the scholarships scheduled to be distributed under the direction of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
The development is important for students because it shows that the CM Punjab Honhaar Scholarship Scheme is no longer limited to students from Punjab. The programme has reserved opportunities for students from different parts of Pakistan as part of its wider effort to improve access to higher education.
Key details of the Gilgit Baltistan scholarships
| Detail | Latest information |
|---|---|
| Scholarship programme | Honhaar Scholarship |
| Beneficiary region | Gilgit Baltistan |
| Students | Nearly 500 |
| Scholarship value | More than Rs 60 million |
| Institutions covered | 7 educational institutions |
| Distribution | Under Punjab government directions |
| Other regions mentioned | Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
| Next expansion | Azad Jammu and Kashmir |
The figures mean the package averages more than Rs 120,000 per student if the announced amount is divided equally among around 500 recipients. However, this is only an average calculation and should not be treated as the individual scholarship amount because the actual support may vary according to the programme’s applicable criteria.
Who will receive the scholarship?
Students from seven educational institutions in Gilgit Baltistan have been included in the latest scholarship initiative. Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat described the programme as an opportunity for students from the region and said the Punjab government was committed to expanding educational opportunities beyond the province.
The announcement is particularly relevant for students pursuing higher education because financial support can reduce the cost of continuing studies and make professional and university education more accessible.
Students should note that the latest announcement concerns selected beneficiaries. It does not announce a new open application deadline for every student in Gilgit Baltistan.
Honhaar Scholarship expands beyond Punjab
The latest development is part of a wider expansion of the Honhaar Scholarship programme.
Punjab previously announced that students from other provinces and regions could also benefit from the scheme. The Punjab government has described the programme as a way to provide educational opportunities without restricting support to students from Punjab.
The official Honhaar Scholarship information also describes the programme as covering tuition fees and sets eligibility requirements according to the relevant scholarship category. Students should therefore check the official programme information before assuming that the current Gilgit Baltistan announcement is open for fresh applications.
What about students from AJK?
Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat has also said that a similar scholarship initiative for students from Azad Jammu and Kashmir is expected to be introduced in the coming days.
This would further extend the geographical reach of Punjab’s education support programmes and could create additional opportunities for students outside Punjab.
For students interested in applying for future Honhaar opportunities, the safest approach is to check the official Honhaar Scholarship portal for eligibility, application announcements and deadlines rather than relying on social media posts or unofficial scholarship websites.
Why this matters for Pakistan’s education sector
The Gilgit Baltistan scholarship package is significant beyond its financial value.
Higher education costs can become a major barrier for students, particularly those travelling from remote regions to study at professional institutions. Financial assistance can help deserving students continue their education and complete degrees that may otherwise be difficult to afford.
The expansion also reflects a broader shift toward merit and need based educational support across regions. With students from Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa already benefiting from the wider programme, the latest Gilgit Baltistan initiative adds another region to the picture.
Students and parents can also follow our latest Pakistan education updates for new announcements related to examinations, results and student opportunities.
Latest update for students
As of August 10, 2026, Punjab has announced scholarships worth more than Rs 60 million for around 500 Gilgit Baltistan students from seven educational institutions. The scholarships are being provided under the Honhaar Scholarship programme, while the Punjab government has indicated that similar support for AJK students may follow soon.
Students looking for future Honhaar Scholarship announcements should verify the latest criteria and application status through the official Honhaar Scholarship programme before submitting any information.
