Twenty-five students from Sri Lanka have arrived in Pakistan to pursue MBBS degrees at leading medical universities under the fully funded Allama Iqbal Scholarship Programme. The students landed at Jinnah International Airport, where they were warmly received by officials.
The scholarship initiative is managed by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan as part of a broader higher education cooperation programme between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The selected students will study at prestigious institutions, including Dow University of Health Sciences and Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences. Both universities are recognised by the Sri Lankan Medical Council, ensuring that the degrees awarded are internationally accepted.
Officials stated that the initiative reflects the strong and growing educational partnership between the two nations. At present, more than 430 Sri Lankan students are enrolled in various Pakistani universities under this scholarship scheme, pursuing studies in medicine, engineering, business, natural sciences, and social sciences.
All students selected for the programme successfully passed a rigorous and competitive admission process in accordance with Pakistan’s higher education standards. Authorities have also confirmed that another group of approximately 100 Sri Lankan students is expected to arrive in Pakistan in the coming weeks under the same scholarship programme.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed officials to remove obstacles for Pakistanis seeking visas to Sri Lanka. The directive was issued during a meeting with Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain.
President Dissanayake acknowledged Pakistan’s support during challenging times for Sri Lanka and reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. He also announced that Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister is expected to visit Pakistan soon to further enhance cooperation between the two countries.
The scholarship programme continues to serve as a symbol of academic collaboration and mutual trust, promoting educational exchange and people-to-people connections between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
