Most cannot pay transport, living costs, claim money only being ‘paid’ on paper. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD: Inayatullah, 24, has abandoned his studies because he has to commute daily from Murree to capital. The round-trip costs about Rs300 every day, which he was promised would be refunded, but has not been paid for the last three months.
Inayat is among dozens of students who have abandoned their studies before completing their degrees from the National Institute of Science and Technical Education (NISTE) in Islamabad.
NISTE provides technical education with long and short courses ranging from four months to a year. Admissions were granted to students in three programmes under the Waseela-e-Rozgar scheme of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and the students were to be paid a Rs6,000 monthly stipend.
The certificates included data entry operating and training courses for plumbers and electricians.
“I commute from Islamabad to Chak Beli daily for the plumber course, but it cost me Rs350,” said Niaz Ahmed, adding that the monthly stipend he was promised has never been paid. Ahmed worked at a factory and used to earn Rs12,000 a month. “What can I do in this situation? My parents ask me why I left a steady job. I came here hoping to learn and be able to improve my ability to earn,” Ahmed remarked.
They are over 100 male and female students who have left because of their inability to pay house rent and transport costs.
Faisal Zareef hails from Multan and lives in the capital in a rented house. “I not only left my tea shop in Karachi, but also my family, because I was the only breadwinner. Here I have to pay rent and food charges which go beyond the Rs6,000 stipend,” Zareef added.
Over a dozen students visit the BISP office near Pakistan Secretariat two to three times a week, but “they are told that the concerned person is not available”.
Inayat said whenever he tried to contact programme head Monis Rehman, the latter claims he is busy or doesn’t even bother to respond.
The students said the online record shows the amount has been transferred, but when they check with the bank, there is nothing there.
When The Express Tribune contacted Rehman’s office, the receptionist said he is out of the city and will return next week.
NISTE DG Hafiz Ehsan said they only send letters to BISP with a list of students. The institute does not handle the stipends and they cannot do anything to help.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 21st, 2013.
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