As Pakistan announces to award scholarships to 100 students from Sri Lanka, Pakistani students are furious.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi announced that about 100 Sri Lankans will be granted scholarships in Pakistan’s top medical institutes. This announcement was made during his trip to Sri Lanka.
Pleased to arrive in Colombo with PM @ImranKhanPTI for his maiden visit to Sri Lanka. 🇵🇰 and 🇱🇰 share a close relationship, working together at the bilat level and int’l & regional forums. During this visit all areas of cooperation between 🇵🇰 🇱🇰 will be discussed & strengthened. pic.twitter.com/K5iIAbWaVc
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) February 23, 2021
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It is unclear if this has anything to do with the MoUs Pakistan signed with Sri Lanka in various sectors including commerce, investment, education, science & technology, and industrial cooperation during the visit.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan is standing side by side with Sri Lanka as a partner for the development of human resources, security cooperation, fighting terrorism, development, and prosperity.
Pakistan & Sri Lanka have signed several MoUs in various sectors including commerce, investment, education, science & technology, and industrial cooperation in Colombo today. In presence of Prime Ministers of both countries, agreements were signed by departmental representatives. pic.twitter.com/0PzK4yQpBs
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) February 23, 2021
Netizens React
Given the poor education rate in the country, where a vast majority does not have sufficient financial resources to pursue higher education, Pakistani students have not reacted positively to the announcement of scholarships to foreigners.
Le reality 🤣 pic.twitter.com/ow3ucgmwCf
— ayush mishra (@mishrayushh) February 24, 2021
Additionally, Pakistan announced a $15 million credit for defence in Sri Lanka. That is what seems to have garnered most of the criticism.
Golden words of the century by the honorable Supreme Court of Pakistan
TA HAYAT NA AHAL!
Supreme Court of Pakistan Zindabad!
— Azadi2020 (@FreeKashmir2020) February 25, 2021
However, this really struck a nerve across the border.
Pakistan offers USD 15 million credit line to Sri Lanka for defence cooperation pic.twitter.com/pp9ecQaHS0
— VAZY🇮🇳 (@vazy_7011) February 24, 2021
Sir where they can give $15 Million credit line?? They have money or the will take it from China (On 4% Loan) and then give to Sri Lanka?? One line for Pakistan…..Miya ji ke ghar main nahi hai Dane and chale hai Chane bhunane 🤣🤣🤣🤣
— Bh@r@t P@reek (@jaipur_bharat) February 24, 2021
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Pakistanis feel the government should take more initiatives and make efforts at home, rather than providing these opportunities to international students. Although the current government does have financial scholarships such as Kamyab Jawaan programme and the PM’s scholarship to fund higher studies of university students enrolled in Pakistani universities.
Surprisingly this is not the first time Pakistan opened doors for Sri Lankan students. Then why the outcry this time around?
#HEC #Pakistan has announced 1000 #Scholarships under #PakistanSriLankaHigherEducationCooperationProramme. Last date for receipt of applications is 29 February 2020. @MFA_SriLanka @SaadKhtk @hecpkofficial @appcsocialmedia @ForeignOfficePk @epwing_official @RadioPakistan @pid_gov pic.twitter.com/LzjmobRN5h
— Pakistan High Commission Sri Lanka (@PakinSriLanka) February 3, 2020
#Study in #Pakistan: The Higher Education Commission of Pakistan announced Allama #Iqbal #Scholarships for Sri Lanka Students under Pakistan-Sri Lanka Higher Education Cooperation Programme https://t.co/odmSPgmnT9 pic.twitter.com/VltnUcx71q
— Pakistan High Commission Sri Lanka (@PakinSriLanka) April 21, 2019
Pakistan awards Jinnah Scholarships for 182 Lankan youthshttps://t.co/BZTsBDg6Ux #lk #lka #Srilanka
— Wedivistara (@WedivistaraLK) April 25, 2018
Government College Lahore #Scholarships for International Students in #Pakistan , 2018 #Srilanka #Syria #Palestine #Afghanistan #Iraq #Iran #Sudan #Somalia #Kosovo #Bosnia https://t.co/5SIfYWJ5BF
— دختر پاکستان (@SobiaAqeel) April 15, 2018
Could this have to do with the current state of the country’s economy and the global economy? Or were people simply unaware to offer dissent?
How many of you were aware that Pakistan has offered scholarships to Sri Lankan students for since long? Is this something you support or oppose? Let us know why in the comments below.
