US provides $45m for higher education in conflict areas

ISLAMABAD: The US government has provided $45 million to support public university education in areas of the country affected by militant conflict.

This was announced by US Ambassador Anne W Patterson and HEC Chairman Dr Javaid R Laghari in a ceremony held in Islamabad on Thursday.

The grant funds, provided through USAID, will cover the costs of one year's university fee waivers for over 7000 students from internally displaced families.

The grant complements an $85 million cash grant given to the Benazir Income Support Program in February 2010 and a $44 million contribution made for IDPs in November 2009.