Scholar receives first Asma Jahangir scholarship

ISLAMABAD: British High Commissioner to Pakistan Thomas Drew on Thursday awarded the first Asma Jahangir scholarship to a female scholar to pursue higher education in England.

The Asma Jahangir scholarship, which was launched earlier this year, honours the legacy of the late human rights champion Asma Jahangir. Each year the scholarship will be awarded to the top-ranking female applicant in a competitive recruitment process.

Presenting the new scholarship, British High Commissioner said, “It is an honour to mark the extraordinary legacy of Asma Jahangir by awarding this new scholarship to the top Pakistani female Chevening scholar. Asma Jahangir was a remarkable woman a champion of human rights who fought for the rights of women, children and oppressed people.”

“It is an honour that Asma Jahangir’s family has joined us today and I am grateful for their support in the creation of a scholarship in her name as part of the UK Chevening Scholarship Programme,” the high commissioner added.

Speaking at the event, the recipient of the award, Sana Gul, said, “I still remember the words of [late] Asma Jahangir who said that through hardships, strong people find their strength and you are the chosen one.”

Asma’s daughter Munizae Jahangir congratulated Sana Gul for receiving the best female Chevening Scholar for 2018-19. “We thank the British government for starting this new scholarship award to honour Asma Jahangir. This scholarship will empower women to improve the lives of others.”