SWABI: Former National Assembly speaker Asad Qaiser and provincial minister for higher education Meena Khan Afridi on Sunday distributed scholarship cheques to 193 students of the Swabi Women University (SWU).

A function was held at the varsity, according to a statement issued here.

Former provincial transport minister Rangaiz Khan, SWU Vice-Chancellor Dr Ghazala Yasmin, members of the faculty and students also graced the occasion.

Under the scholarship programme, deserving and talented students from Topi tehsil have been supported for the last few years. The varsity says the scheme will continue, enabling the poor girls to get contemporary education.

A varsity official told Dawn on condition of anonymity that the scholarships amounted to Rs6 million.

The organisers said that deserving girls would continue to receive the financial assistance to pursue higher education.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Qaiser took credit for establishing the women’s varsity in Swabi, fulfilling an election promise.

He paid tribute to MPA Rangaiz Khan for allocating funds for scholarships to help promote women’s education in the district.

He insisted that women’s education had been his top priority, and that the provision of scholarships to female students would continue.

On the occasion, Meena Khan Afridi said that educated women worked for society’s development, and that it was the responsibility of the government and elected representatives to provide educational facilities to female students.

Published in Dawn, June 8th, 2026