By ABDULLAH 
Hungary has announced 400 fully funded scholarships for Pakistani students, marking a major step forward in the education cooperation between the two countries. The announcement came during recent high-level meetings held in New York on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), as Pakistan and Hungary also celebrated the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
This initiative highlights the growing partnership between Islamabad and Budapest, with both sides committing to expand cooperation in education, trade, investment, civil aviation, and cultural exchanges.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó in New York, where Hungary formally announced the scholarships. Dar thanked Hungary for its support and reaffirmed Pakistan’s desire to further strengthen bilateral relations.
Earlier this year, during Szijjártó’s visit to Islamabad, the two countries signed several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) focusing on culture, archaeology, and visa abolition for diplomatic and official passport holders. These steps have paved the way for greater people-to-people contact and smoother bilateral engagements.
“The Hungarian FM expressed his government’s commitment to continue supporting education cooperation opportunities for Pakistani students in Hungary,” Pakistan’s Foreign Office said in a statement.
The scholarship announcement has already generated excitement among students across Pakistan. According to Hungarian officials, nearly 1,700 applications have been received for the 400 available slots.
The program will allow Pakistani students to pursue fully funded studies in Hungary, covering tuition fees, accommodation, and stipends. This not only offers opportunities for higher education abroad but also builds long-term academic and cultural links between the two nations.
For Pakistani youth, many of whom face limited access to quality education, these scholarships represent a life-changing opportunity. For Hungary, the initiative reflects its strategy of fostering deeper ties with partner countries by investing in human capital.
While education remains a key highlight, both countries are also pursuing broader collaboration. During their UNGA meeting, Ishaq Dar and Péter Szijjártó agreed to:
- Finalize visa abolition for diplomatic and official passport holders.
- Explore direct flight operations between Pakistan and Hungary.
- Encourage Hungarian investment in Pakistani industries, particularly manufacturing and trade.
- Strengthen cultural exchanges through MoUs in archaeology and heritage.
Dar also briefed his Hungarian counterpart on Pakistan’s regional security challenges, particularly the situation in Afghanistan, and highlighted Islamabad’s role in promoting regional peace and stability.
Ishaq Dar described Hungary as a “positive and beneficial friend” to Pakistan, noting its support in industrial sectors through partnerships like the Mughal Group. He said these collaborations had created opportunities for Pakistani workers and professionals to showcase their skills internationally.
In response, Szijjártó acknowledged Pakistan’s strategic importance and reaffirmed Hungary’s desire to deepen cooperation. He also recognized Pakistan’s role in regional stability and expressed solidarity with its peace efforts, particularly regarding Afghanistan and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
As Pakistan faces economic and security challenges at home, strengthening ties with European partners like Hungary opens new avenues of opportunity. The 400 scholarships initiative reflects a practical, people-focused approach to diplomacy, while talks on trade, aviation, and investment promise long-term benefits.
With six decades of formal diplomatic relations now completed, the Pakistan–Hungary partnership appears ready to expand into new areas, balancing traditional state-level agreements with initiatives that directly impact ordinary citizens.
For Pakistani students, the fully funded scholarships offer not just education abroad but also the chance to serve as bridges between two nations seeking closer cooperation in a rapidly changing world.