Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal has announced the launch of the second phase of a government scholarship program aimed at students from Balochistan and the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Speaking in the National Assembly, the minister said the program will provide 5,000 additional scholarships to boys and girls from these regions, enabling talented students to pursue higher education at leading universities across the country. Iqbal noted that the scholarship initiative was originally introduced by the previous government to support talented students from underdeveloped areas, and said the current phase builds on that effort. He emphasized that education remains the most effective means of overcoming backwardness and driving development in regions that have historically lagged behind in access to quality schooling and higher education. The minister did not provide details in his address about the application process, eligibility criteria, or deadlines for the new scholarships. Students from Balochistan and the former FATA districts interested in the program are advised to watch for further announcements from the relevant ministries on how and when to apply.