Bilawal announces educational aid for under-18 snooker champion

E-Paper | March 11, 2026

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto on Tuesday announced that he would bear educational expenses for the recently crowned under-18 snooker champion Naseem Akhtar.

Akhtar, who won the title of International Billiards and Snooker Federation (IBSF) Under-18 Snooker World Champion after beating China’s Peifan Lei in Beijing, had appealed to the prime minister for a scholarship upon his return to the country on Monday.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is yet to announce a prize for the young champion, however, Akhtar's appeal has been answered by the PPP chairman.

Pakistan Billiard and Snooker Association's (PBSA) vice-president Jawed Karim has been assured of the scholarship and that a meeting between the under-18 world champion and PBSA officials has been set.

While talking to DawnNews, Sahiwal's Naseem Akhtar said he is delighted to hear that the PPP chairman has offered to bear his educational expenses.

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Nasim Zaidi

Jul 18, 2017 10:29pm

Good Job Bilawal ,Since you are an educated person you know the importance and the value of education. I am saying this because I am a Stanford grad .Bilawal you rock I salute you this is a big achievement in the life of Naseem Akhter the young world champion under 18 Snooker. WELL DONE BILAWAL GOD BLESS YOU. NASIM ZAIDI . FROM CALIFORNIA

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jak

Jul 18, 2017 11:01pm

Great news from PPP chairman.keep it up

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Maz Zubairi

Jul 18, 2017 11:51pm

It is good but Bilwal and PPP need to look at educating all their subjects who in this modern age are treated worst then animals in most rural SIndh. The PPP government had purposely destroyed the education standards and many positions are filled with favoritism and nepotism. I am recommending that if SINDH government is sincere they will right away open schools with all facilities and every child poor or rich will be given the same education till high school as done globally by all successful countries.

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CHACHA

Jul 19, 2017 01:34am

Great gesture Bilawal, but if you really want to help, get rid of nepotism and corruption from the party and the Sind government. Sind contribute over 70% of the total federal revenue and still cannot provide good education and medical services to its own people is mind boggling, bring in people who understand common people and their issues and who can lead. The province has unlimited potential because of resources, let everyone get benefited by these resources, not only a few.

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RajputAwan - UK

Jul 19, 2017 01:43am

Good for one person, but what about millions of children who can not go to schools, because their patents are poor and can not afford it. As both PPP and PMLN in the past have ignored education and other important life related issues like health care, security and providing clean water, electricity and basic necessities to public at large. I think it is a publicity stunt for political grains!

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MALIK

Jul 19, 2017 02:35am

Not this one only, but everyone in Sind. You guys can afford it. These students have been robbed of good schools, libraries, teachers by the rampant corruption of your elders. Please give all the surplus money (and you folks have plenty) to schools. Even if you keep it in Sind, we have no issues as long as spent on education.

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Khalid iqbal

Jul 19, 2017 02:47am

Money is passed out to persons in Pakistan , when ever someone is to be rewarded, time has come when rewards should be given as educational grants for the family ,in govt and private institution.

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Observer

Jul 19, 2017 04:11am

What aid is really offered ?Is it really significant enough for the young champion?

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Jul 19, 2017 04:34am

Good first step. Next Bilawal should concentrate in fixing the ghost schooling system in Sindh so general population can also benefit from government/tax subsidized education.

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imp3

Jul 19, 2017 04:36am

I am not a fan of PPP,I am not sure what to do with Bilawal? as I don't know the internal politics of party,so, i don't know who to blame PPP or Bilawal or both of them but what I know : you have done a good job and I hope young man excel in sport and education both and may he have your full support till end,no matter what.salam to you.

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Dr. Doctor

Jul 19, 2017 05:07am

@Nasim Zaidi Although an apparent political manouver, but still will lead to setting a precedent. Still, education at home (in rural Sindh) should also be a priority like pointed out elsewhere in the comments. Not sure how your mention of Standord helps this comments section. I doubt such names matter. Your expressive language doesn't do justice to what you claim hence my sentence preceding this one carries a lot of weight.

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Cricket-one

Jul 19, 2017 08:04am

Good job - educational aid for a snooker champion, and sports aid for the person who tops Matriculation.

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Jul 19, 2017 05:58pm

Excellent news for the under-18 snooker champion Naseem Akhtar. Keep it up and hang on tough.

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