The Directorate of Financial Assistance & University Advancement, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) organized an interactive session with Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal (PBM) Scholarship Awardees here on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. The Honorable Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation & Social Safety, Syed Imran Ahmad Shah graced the event as Chief Guest. He was warmly received by the Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman, along with deans, directors, faculty members and student representatives. The session aimed to strengthen collaboration between government and academic institutions to enhance scholarship opportunities and social protection initiatives for the youth.

In his welcome address, Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman appreciated the vital role of Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal in supporting financially challenged students, enabling them to pursue higher education without interruption. He said that many students come from middle and lower-middle-class backgrounds and face increasing financial challenges. The Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal initiative is a great step to help such deserving students to continue studies and achieve their goals.

While addressing, the Honorable Chief Guest Federal Minister Syed Imran Ahmad Shah reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring equitable access to education across the country. He stated that the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, through programs like the Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal Scholarship, is dedicated to removing financial barriers for talented youth. He said that the government is committed to expanding scholarship opportunities and strengthening support mechanisms to empower the youth.

At the end of the ceremony, scholarship cheques were distributed among deserving students by the Honorable Minister and the Vice Chancellor. The Minister clarified that the scholarship funds were not drawn from Zakat, but rather from a dedicated budget allocation to ensure inclusive support for education.