Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis & HRD Zulfikar Bukhari graced the Cheque Distribution Ceremony of Overseas Pakistanis Education Fund at OPF as chief guest. While addressing the parents and students, SAPM said that Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF) gives importance to the education of the children of overseas Pakistanis. He distributed cheques among the students who secured scholarship. He emphasized the need for the students to have a purpose in life. The youth constitutes 60% of Pakistan’s population and that it has to play an important role in the development of the country, he said. Zulfikar Bukhari said that unfortunately the overseas Pakistanis and their families were ignored in the past. The current government however is focusing specifically on the education and housing needs of the overseas Pakistanis. Zulfikar Bukhari expressed his pleasure by saying that it is an honor to be among the most talented students from across the country. OPF will continue to support the deserving students, he said. He also said that the parents have the responsibility to instill a sense of responsibility in their children’s minds. This scholarship is a reward for the students and it should encourage them to look forward, he said. They have to think ahead and opportunities will knock at their doorsteps. SAPM added that there will be more scholarships for eligible students in future. While discussing the reforms in education system of OPF, he assured the parents and students that the reforms committee has been constituted and the structural and academic changes in schooling system of OPF will be made by the end of this year. The scholarship cheques were distributed to 32 students from across the country. Sana Wajid from Bahria University Islamabad topped the merit list by getting Rs. 172,950 worth of scholarship. Faiqa Rasheed of Govt. College University Faisalabad was second with Rs. 135,600 worth of scholarship. Haider Ali from National University of Computer & Engineering Science Islamabad followed as third candidate with scholarship of Rs. 132,000. On the occasion, the Managing Director OPF, Dr. Amir Sheikh, said that the children of the overseas Pakistanis are given priority in the OPF Schools. They have the first right of admission in these schools and also can avail a 50% concession on tuition fees, he said. He further added that the building of the OPF School in Peshawar has been constructed and it will be started by April of this year. *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
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