Art and culture scholarship programme launched.

ISLAMABAD -- Minister for Federal Education and Literary Heritage Shafqat Mahmood on Thursday launched an arts and culture scholarship programme.

The minister said the first stage of the programme comprised 400 scholarships for the year 2020. The ministry of federal education has included in the programme 15 top HEC recognised and degree-awarding institutes of the country, both from public and private sectors. Initially, Rs77 million disbursements have been planned for the current year.

Mr Mahmood said the scholarships were being provided by the government for the first time. He said it was the responsibility of the state to support those who could not pay for education. This programme indicates the priorities of the PTI government, he added.

Highlighting the enriched culture of Pakistan, he said the concept of soft power was a...