Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Tuesday launched a landmark initiative to provide free higher education to female students and orphaned children across the province.

Under the Rs4.5 billion Insaf Female Education Card programme, around 55,000 girls will receive free education up to intermediate level.

The scheme will cover students enrolled in 120 colleges across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Speaking at the launch ceremony held at Frontier Women College, Afridi also announced free higher education for orphaned students who pass the MDCAT test.

The chief minister said the Insaf Education Card was a true symbol of gender equality, adding that the PTI government was committed to ensuring equal opportunities for women in every field.

Afridi announced that additional funds would be allocated for women’s education in the upcoming provincial budget.

The chief minister also directed the launch of a new internship programme for bachelor’s and master’s degree holders to help them gain professional experience.

“The Insaf Female Education Card reflects our government’s commitment to empowering women through education and promoting equality in society,” he said.

The provincial government, Afridi added, was determined to expand access to higher education and provide special support to deserving students belonging to an underprivileged background across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.