The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has been accused of incompetence and weak policy implementation in administering the scholarship schemes.

It is alleged that over Rs1.55 billion (around $7 million) were misappropriated under the guise of these programs.

Around 97 students who were sent abroad to study on these scholarships have simply absconded and not returned to Pakistan.

The students were sent to destinations like Europe, the United States, Britain, Canada, and Australia.

The revelations show that Rs8.3 million (around $38,000) were spent on European scholarships, Rs7.49 million (around $34,000) on US scholarships, and over Rs17 million (around $77,000) on UK scholarships.

Additionally, 70 students who went abroad had Rs0.77 million (around $3,500) spent on their travel expenses.

Beyond this, 19 students from the one-year master’s degree “Hardship Fee” scholarship program, 5 PhD scholars, and 3 Fulbright scholars have also gone missing after being sent abroad.

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