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The European Commission (EC) has approved Euro 20 million (approximately Rs. 1,280 million) grant for Pakistan's educational development, to be undertaken by Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan (AKFP) over the next five years.The grant mainly aims at improving access, quality and sustainability of education for in-school and out-of-school children, with increased gender equity and the participation of communities in the Northern Areas and Chitral (NAC), a highly placed source said here MOnday.

The European Commission will provide Euro 20 million (equivalent to Rs1.28 billion) to the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) as grant for implementation of its programme to increase women's access to education in the Northern Areas and Chitral.
A contract to this effect was signed between the ambassador and head of the European Commission delegation in Pakistan, Ilkka Uusitalo, and AKF Chairman Kamal Chinoy at the education ministry on Tuesday. Minister for Education Zobaida Jalal was also present.

Education Minister Zobaida Jalal said Tuesday that the education budget is expected to be further enhanced to Rs. 12.5 billion this year compared to last year and the shortage of textbooks would be over soon. 'Our budget requirements are huge: We are talking about anything from Rs. 12.5 billion, yet it will depend on the resources of the government, she said speaking as the chief guest at the Euro 20 million (about Rs. 1.28 billion) grant signing ceremony between Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan and European Commission (EC) for the Northern Pakistan Education Project (NPEP).

The European Commission (EC) has approved 20 million euros (approximately Rs 1.28 billion) grant for Pakistan's educational development, to be undertaken by Aga Khan Foundation Pakistan (AKFP) over the next five years.
The grant aims at improving access, quality and sustainability of education for in-school and out-of-school children, with increased gender equity and the participation of communities in the Northern Areas and Chitral (NAC).