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CM Punjab Honhaar Scholarship for Azad Kashmir Students 2026 – Complete Guide

The Government of Punjab, under the leadership of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, has expanded its higher education support initiative by introducing the CM Punjab Honhaar Scholarship for Azad Kashmir Students. This decision allows eligible students holding an Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) domicile to receive full tuition fee coverage for undergraduate and graduate degree programs across top public sector universities, medical colleges, and selected private sector higher education institutions.

By removing financial hurdles, the Punjab Government ensures that talented youth from Azad Kashmir can complete higher education without bearing heavy academic costs. Managed through the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC), the scholarship covers 100% of university tuition fees throughout the degree duration.

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Program Summary & Key Information

Feature	Details
Program Name	CM Punjab Honhaar Scholarship Scheme
Announced By	Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif
Executing Body	Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC)
Target Audience	Students from Punjab and Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK)
Financial Coverage	100% Tuition Fee Coverage
Degree Levels	Undergraduate (BS 4-Year / 5-Year), MBBS, BDS, Pharm-D & Graduate degrees
Disciplines Covered	68 High-Demand Fields (Computer Science, Engineering, Medicine, Arts, etc.)
Official Portal	`honhaarscholarship.punjabhec.gov.pk`

What is the Honhaar Scholarship Program?

The Honhaar Scholarship Scheme is an educational initiative launched by the Punjab Government to support high-achieving, financially deserving students pursuing undergraduate and graduate studies. Rather than issuing cash stipends directly to students, the Punjab Higher Education Commission pays the total tuition fee directly to the respective university or college on the student’s behalf.

Key objectives of the program include:

Reducing Educational Expenses: Easing the tuition burden on middle- and lower-income households.
Increasing University Enrollment: Ensuring students with strong academic scores do not drop out due to fee constraints.
Supporting Merit: Selecting candidates based purely on past academic performance and verified family income.
Fostering Inclusivity: Extending opportunities to students from Azad Kashmir and other regions studying in recognized institutions.

Why the Azad Kashmir Expansion Matters

A large number of students from Azad Kashmir enroll in public and private sector universities across Punjab every year. Higher tuition fees in specialized fields such as Computer Science, Software Engineering, MBBS, BDS, and Artificial Intelligence can create financial strain for families.

The expansion of the Honhaar Scholarship scheme to AJK residents provides several distinct advantages:

Equal Merit Consideration: AJK students meeting the merit percentage requirements receive equal priority alongside Punjab applicants.
Access to Premier Institutions: Applies to state universities, medical/dental colleges, and participating federal chartered universities (including NUST, FAST, COMSATS, and LUMS).
Multi-Year Support: Covers tuition fees for the complete 4-year or 5-year degree duration, provided academic performance remains satisfactory.

Eligibility Criteria for Azad Kashmir Students

To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must fulfill the following specific requirements outlined by the Punjab Higher Education Commission:

1. Domicile Requirement

Must hold a valid State Subject / Domicile Certificate of Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK).

2. Enrollment Status

Must be enrolled in a recognized 4-year or 5-year undergraduate or designated graduate degree program in a participating public university, medical college, or selected private institution.
Both newly admitted first-semester students and existing upper-semester students (where specified in official cycles) are eligible to apply.

3. Academic Qualification

Medical & Dental Colleges (MBBS/BDS): Minimum 80% marks in Intermediate (FSc Pre-Medical).
Top Universities & Science Programs: Minimum 70% to 75% marks in Intermediate/FSc or equivalent.
Arts & Social Sciences Programs: Minimum 65% marks in Intermediate/FA.
Merit Formula: Overall merit is calculated based on 30% Matriculation weightage + 70% Intermediate (FSc/FA) weightage.

4. Family Income Limit

Total monthly household income must be less than PKR 300,000 to PKR 350,000 (supported by a valid notarized income affidavit).

Required Documents Checklist

Before starting the online application on the official PHEC portal, ensure scanned copies (PDF or JPEG format) of the following documents are ready:

Applicant’s CNIC / B-Form
Father or Guardian’s CNIC
AJK Domicile Certificate / State Subject
Matriculation Result Card & Certificate
Intermediate (FSc / FA / A-Level) Result Card & Certificate
University Admission Letter or Student ID Card
Official Fee Voucher / Fee Breakdown issued by the university
Notarized Monthly Income Affidavit (Format available on the official portal)
Recent Passport-size Photograph

How to Apply Online Step-by-Step Guide

Applications must be submitted electronically through the central online portal. Follow these exact steps to complete registration correctly:

Step 1: Account Creation

Visit the official PHEC portal at honhaarscholarship.punjabhec.gov.pk. Click on Register, enter your CNIC/B-Form number (without dashes), active mobile number, and email address, then set a password.

Step 2: Personal Profile & Domicile Details

Log in to your account. Enter your personal profile details, including full name, father’s name, residential address, and select Azad Jammu & Kashmir under the domicile category.

Step 3: Household Income Details

Provide accurate information regarding your family’s monthly income, father/guardian’s occupation, and total dependents. Upload the required notarized income affidavit.

Step 4: Academic History

Enter your Matriculation and Intermediate marks exactly as printed on your official board result cards. Discrepancies between entered data and uploaded result cards can cause application rejection.

Step 5: Select University & Discipline

Choose your admitted university/college from the dropdown list, select your degree program, enter your university roll/registration number, and upload your admission letter.

Step 6: Document Upload & Submission

Upload clear scans of all required documents. Review your application summary carefully before clicking Submit. Save and print the final application receipt for your personal records.

Selection & Awarding Process

Online System Screening: The portal automatically verifies basic eligibility (percentage threshold, age limit, and income cap).
Institutional Verification: Scanned documents and academic records are cross-checked by the focal person at your respective university.
Merit List Publication: Merit lists are compiled based on academic weightage (30% Matric + 70% FSc) and published on the official PHEC portal.
Direct Fee Transfer: Upon final selection, the Punjab Government transfers the required tuition fee directly to the candidate’s university account.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the CM Punjab Honhaar Scholarship Program?

It is an educational financial aid initiative launched by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to cover 100% of university tuition fees for eligible undergraduate and graduate students.

2. Are students with an Azad Kashmir domicile eligible?

Yes, students holding a valid AJK domicile or State Subject certificate who meet the required academic merit criteria are fully eligible to apply.

3. What is the maximum family income limit to qualify?

The total monthly household income of the applicant’s family must be less than PKR 300,000 to PKR 350,000 per month.

4. Does this scholarship cover hostel fees or monthly living allowances?

The program primarily covers 100% of the tuition fee charged by the university or college. Hostel or transport fees are usually not covered unless specified in custom university quotas.

5. What minimum percentage is required for Intermediate/FSc?

Minimum requirements are generally 80% for medical/dental colleges, 70–75% for engineering and science disciplines, and 65% for arts and social sciences.

6. Can students studying in private universities apply?

Yes, students enrolled in designated, top-tier private and federal universities (such as FAST, NUST, COMSATS, and LUMS) under eligible disciplines can apply.

7. Is there an application fee for applying online?

No, registration and application submission on the official PHEC portal are entirely free of charge. Never pay any agent or third party.

8. How is the final selection merit calculated?

Selection merit is calculated using a standard formula: 30% weightage from Matriculation marks and 70% weightage from Intermediate (FSc/FA) marks.

9. Can existing university students in 2nd or 3rd year apply?

Yes, when registration cycles open for upper semesters (3rd to 8th semester for BS, or 2nd to 5th year for MBBS/BDS), existing students can apply through the portal.

10. How will selected candidates receive the scholarship money?

The scholarship amount is paid directly by the Punjab Higher Education Commission to the respective university’s official account on behalf of the selected student.

Conclusion

The expansion of the CM Punjab Honhaar Scholarship for Azad Kashmir Students represents a significant step toward making quality higher education accessible to deserving youth. By covering full tuition expenses, the initiative enables talented students to focus entirely on their studies without financial stress. Eligible AJK students should prepare their transcripts, domicile, and income documents early and submit their applications through the official PHEC portal before announced deadlines.

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: This article is intended strictly for informational and educational purposes. Scholarship eligibility criteria, percentage thresholds, family income caps, and application deadlines are subject to official policy updates by the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) and Higher Education Department (HED). Applicants are advised to confirm all instructions on the official government portal (honhaarscholarship.punjabhec.gov.pk) before applying.

Published By : Pak Schemes Team
Date : 22 July 2026
Topic : CM Punjab Honhaar Scholarship for Azad Kashmir Students 2026 – Eligibility, Benefits & Apply Online