ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Education and Professional Training Rana Tanveer Hussain met the Pakistani students delegation who returned home from China in the middle of their studies after the Covid-19 outbreak two years ago and since then they are stuck in Pakistan due to certain issues.

In the meeting, representatives of Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Higher Education Commission (HEC), Aviation Division and senior officers of the ministry were in attendance. Representative from MoFA informed that in the 1st phase, China has given a list of 251 students to Pakistan, out of which 60 percent students have been successfully reached out.

The Minister directed the Higher Education Commission to increase its efforts and use all resources in reaching out to students who were not being contacted before and also to set up an effective coordination mechanism between all stakeholders for getting and exchange of necessary details.

While considering the financial constraints of the students, the Minister directed the authorities of education ministry for working out a mechanism, whereby, Government will assist the students by sharing the related costs involved. He also directed Pakistan’s Education Attaché to Beijing for playing a central coordinating role and to rigorously follow-up with Chinese authorities in the best interest of Pakistani students.

It is pertinent to mention that due to zero Covid-19 tolerance policy of China’s government, the air space for regular flights, and option of road travel are restricted. Federal Minister, Rana Tanveer Hussain reiterated that education is the highest priority of the present government and assured the students of resolving their problems on war footing basis and that they will be assisted in every possible way.