ISLAMABAD (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 5th Jun, 2018 ) :A sum of Rs 168 million have been paid to deserving 9,798 minority students as merit scholarships in the last five years, said official sources of Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony.

According to the criteria, merit scholarships are paid to Orphans, destitute, needy and poor minority students, having good educational record, besides regular minoritystudents studying from matric to masters' level were eligible.

� � � �The regular students of Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Buddhists, and other communities, having at least 50 percent marks in their last annual examination are also eligible for the scholarships.

� � � � �The enrolled minority students of professional level MBBS, DVM, BDS, BSc (English), BSc (Nursing), and Pharm-D, PhD or equivalent, student of Post Graduate Level included MA, MSc, M.Com,MCS/MBA, M Phil, LLM, BA, BSc, BBA, B com or equivalent, FA, FSc, I.Com , A Level, DAE or equivalent are paid merit scholarships to meet their education expenses, he added.

Also, the monthly income of parent/guardian of the applicants must be below Rs 30,000 per month. The income certificate must be attested by Gazetted officer of grade 17 or above.