The Government of Pakistan, through the Higher Education Commission (HEC), offers scholarships to talented Afghan students under the Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarship for Afghan Students initiative. The program is designed to help Afghan youth access quality higher education in Pakistan and develop the skills needed to contribute to Afghanistan’s future development.
The scholarship supports students in a wide range of academic disciplines, including Medicine, Engineering, Agriculture, Management, Computer Science, and other fields.
Through this initiative, 4,500 Afghan students are expected to receive educational opportunities at different degree levels. The program also aims to strengthen educational and professional connections between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
Selected students receive financial support toward their studies in Pakistan. The scholarship package includes:
- University tuition fees
- Hostel dues
- Living allowance
- Book allowance
The exact benefits may vary according to the scholarship level and applicable HEC regulations.
Available Scholarship Levels
The Afghan Scholarship program provides opportunities at three major academic levels:
- Undergraduate (Bachelor’s)
- MS/MPhil
- PhD
Students are selected through a merit-based process, with academic performance and the required assessment playing an important role.
Objectives of the Afghan Scholarship Program
The program has been established with several important educational and diplomatic objectives. These include:
- Providing talented Afghan students with access to quality higher education.
- Supporting human resource development and the reconstruction of Afghanistan.
- Building academic and professional connections between Pakistani and Afghan institutions.
- Strengthening people-to-people relationships between the two neighboring countries.
- Promoting educational cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
- Giving Pakistani universities an opportunity to welcome students from neighboring countries.
Eligibility Criteria for Afghan Students
Applicants must be Afghan nationals with a strong academic record and must meet the requirements of the degree level for which they are applying.
Undergraduate Scholarship
Candidates applying for undergraduate admission must:
- Have completed 12 years of education or an equivalent qualification.
- Be between 17 and 23 years of age on the application closing date.
- Have at least 60% marks in general subjects according to the IBCC Pakistan equivalency formula.
- Have at least 65% marks for Medicine and Engineering-related subjects.
MS/MPhil Scholarship
Applicants for MS/MPhil scholarships must:
- Be 35 years old or younger on the application deadline.
- Hold a qualification representing 16 years of education.
- Have a minimum 2.5 CGPA out of 4.0, or an equivalent qualification, in their Bachelor’s/Master’s degree.
PhD Scholarship
Candidates applying for PhD scholarships must:
- Be no older than 35 years if they are non-faculty members.
- Faculty members may be eligible up to 40 years of age.
- Have completed 18 years of education.
- Hold an MS/MPhil degree with at least 3.0 CGPA out of 4.0.
- Have studied the same or relevant subject at MS/MPhil level for admission to a PhD program.
Important Conditions for Applicants
Before applying, candidates should carefully review the following conditions:
- Scholarships are awarded strictly on merit.
- Selected scholars must sign a legal agreement with the Government of Pakistan.
- Scholarship recipients are required to return to Afghanistan after completing their degree in Pakistan.
- Shortlisting may consider academic qualifications, the HEC aptitude test, and/or a selection interview.
- Applicants who are currently receiving, or have previously received, an HEC or Government of Pakistan scholarship are not eligible.
- Applicants must have obtained the required academic qualification before the application deadline.
- Candidates holding foreign qualifications must obtain the required equivalence certificate from IBCC Pakistan or HEC Pakistan, as applicable.
- The scholarship does not cover MS/PhD programs in Clinical Medical Sciences.
- PhD applicants must have studied the relevant subject at MS/MPhil level.
- Students must provide a valid identification document, such as an Original Passport or Electronic Tazkira, when appearing for examinations.
- Applications are accepted online only. Hard-copy applications are not considered.
- Applicants should regularly check their email and the HEC website for announcements and updates.
- HEC reserves the right to postpone, modify, or cancel the scholarship process at any stage.
How to Apply for the Pakistan Afghan Scholarship?
Eligible Afghan students are required to submit their applications through the official HEC online application system.
Application Portal: pakafghan.hec.gov.pk
Applicants should create an account, complete the online form carefully, upload the required information/documents, and submit the application before the announced deadline.
A user manual is also available to help applicants understand the online application process.
Application Deadline
According to the information provided for this scholarship cycle, the deadline for submitting the online application was:
30 September 2025
Applications submitted after the deadline or through hard-copy forms were not accepted.
Important: This deadline has already passed. Applicants interested in a future phase should check the official HEC scholarship portal for a new announcement rather than relying on the 2025 deadline.
Selection Process
The scholarship is awarded through a competitive selection procedure. Applicants may be shortlisted based on their academic records and performance in the required HEC aptitude test and/or selection interview.
Final selection is subject to the applicable HEC rules and available scholarship seats.
Contact Information
For questions regarding the Afghan Scholarship program, applicants can contact the HEC project team:
Project Director – Afghan Scholarship
Higher Education Commission
H-8, Islamabad, Pakistan
Email: pakafghanphase3@hec.gov.pk
Applicants are encouraged to contact the official HEC team for clarification regarding eligibility, application procedures, or future scholarship announcements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the Afghan Scholarship?
The program is intended for eligible Afghan nationals who meet the academic, age, and other requirements for the selected degree level.
What degree levels are available?
The program offers scholarships for Undergraduate, MS/MPhil, and PhD studies.
Is the scholarship fully funded?
The scholarship provides major financial support, including tuition fees, hostel dues, living allowance, and book allowance, subject to the applicable scholarship terms.
Can Afghan students apply for Medicine?
Undergraduate applicants can apply for eligible Medicine-related programs subject to the required academic criteria. However, MS/PhD in Clinical Medical Sciences are not covered by this scholarship.
Is the application submitted online?
Yes. Applications are submitted through the designated HEC online portal. Hard-copy applications are not entertained.
Do applicants need to return to Afghanistan?
Yes. Selected scholars are required to sign an agreement with the Government of Pakistan committing them to return to Afghanistan after completing their degree.
Final Words
The Pakistan Government Afghan Scholarship provides Afghan students with an opportunity to pursue higher education at Pakistani institutions while gaining academic and professional experience. With support covering tuition, accommodation-related expenses, living costs, and books, the program can significantly reduce the financial burden of studying abroad.
However, applicants should always verify the latest eligibility requirements, available fields, deadlines, and application status directly through HEC before applying, as scholarship phases and deadlines can change.
