News Desk:
ISLAMABAD — In a landmark move to support educational equity in Pakistan’s coastal belt, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, has introduced the Maritime Educational Endowment Fund (MEEF) — a new initiative aimed at offering scholarships to talented and underprivileged students from coastal and fishing communities.
Speaking on Sunday, the Minister emphasized that the fund will benefit youth across more than 70 coastal settlements, particularly in Sindh and Balochistan, where educational access remains limited. “We’re investing in the future of Pakistan’s maritime sector by empowering its most valuable asset — our youth,” he remarked.
The fund follows recommendations made by the National Assembly Standing Committee on Maritime Affairs and reflects the government’s commitment to advancing educational opportunities in underserved regions. The initiative is designed not only to curb high dropout rates—which exceed 40% in some coastal districts—but also to nurture a skilled and resilient workforce for the maritime industry.
To ensure the fund’s sustainability, the Ministry will reallocate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions from organizations operating under its domain. These restructured contributions will support a centralized scholarship mechanism designed for long-term impact.
An oversight committee will be established to monitor the fund’s operations, ensuring fair scholarship distribution, transparency, and robust evaluation processes.
Initially focused on coastal communities, the MEEF is expected to expand its reach across Pakistan in future phases. “This is more than a scholarship scheme—it is a national investment in inclusive growth and human capital,” Minister Chaudhry said.
