Ahsan Iqbal assures full support to Balochistan's students in their education.

ISLAMABAD -- Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal on Saturday assured the students of Balochistan of Ministry of Planning's full support and commitment in the speediest implementation of projects in education and development sectors for Balochistan province which remained neglected in the past.

'Our top priority is to facilitate the students of Balochistan by giving them more opportunities in the field of education by offering more scholarships, said the Minister while an engagement session with the students of Balochistan, here at the Ministry.

The students from various districts of Balochistan were invited by the minister in order to listen their issues and for their earlier redressal. Acting Chairperson Higher Education Commission (HEC), Dr Shaista Suhail was also present at the occasion. During the long participatory session that lasted over three hours, the students from various universities in Balochistan exchanged their views on level of education and issues related to their aims for high standard learning.

The Minister appreciated their views and assured his full support despite tough financial situation in the country. 'Despite financial crunch in the country, we have increased the HEC's budget to 68% which shows determination of the government to raise the standard of education in the country,' said the Minister.

The Minister added that for the first time in the history of Pakistan the government has started a project to uplift the 20 poorest districts of the country and Rs20-billion has been earmarked for this purpose.

He said we are conducting surveys to identify priority interventions in the poor districts that...