ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has sought 20,000 PhD scholarships from China and the United States — 10,000 from each country — in a bid to strengthen its human resource base and accelerate knowledge-driven growth, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said on Friday.
Speaking at a news conference during the launch of the Development Update October 2025, the minister revealed that the government is working with relevant bodies to create a globally acceptable seven-point framework for ranking Pakistani universities. The aim, he said, is to bring higher education standards in line with international practices.
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Ahsan Iqbal highlighted that nearly 60 percent of Pakistan’s population is under the age of 30, underscoring the urgency of investing in education and skills development. At the same time, he warned that unchecked population growth could push the national population to 380 million by 2047, posing serious development challenges.
The minister said China has been asked to provide 10,000 PhD scholarships in artificial intelligence, engineering, and emerging sciences over the next decade. A similar request has been made to top American universities to secure an additional 10,000 PhD positions for Pakistani students.
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He added that despite severe climate-related setbacks, including major floods in 2022 and 2025, Pakistan’s macroeconomic indicators are improving. He credited effective government interventions and coordinated relief measures for minimizing losses, protecting livelihoods, and supporting economic resilience.