The UK government’s Chevening programme and Allied Bank Limited (ABL) have announced a partnership to provide fully funded master’s scholarships to Pakistani students at leading British universities. According to a statement issued by the British High Commission, under the Chevening-ABL Scholarship programme, two Pakistani scholars would receive funding each year for three academic years, beginning in 2027-28. The statement added that selected scholars would pursue studies in artificial intelligence, technology, cybersecurity, digital transformation, economics and financial inclusion. The first two Chevening-ABL scholars will be selected from the existing applicant pool for the 2027-28 academic year, while applications for the 2028-29 Chevening-ABL Scholarships are expected to open as part of the Chevening application cycle in August 2027, with successful candidates beginning their studies in the UK in 2028. British High Commissioner Jane Marriott, saying that “Pakistan’s greatest strength is its people," expressed hope that the Chevening-ABL partnership would "help impressive future leaders to study at world-leading UK universities and bring fresh ideas home.” She also said that it was “especially fitting that a former Chevening scholar is now opening the same door for the next generation,” referring to ABL President and CEO Aizid Gill, who studied MSc Business Economics at the University of Manchester as a Chevening scholar in 2001 and is one of Pakistan’s nearly 2,000 Chevening alumni. 25 years later, Gill is "helping create the same opportunity for a new generation of Pakistani scholars," the release noted. “The ABL-Chevening Scholarship is about giving talented Pakistanis the opportunity to learn, grow and bring that exposure back home," he said. Read: 5,000 scholarships for Balochistan, ex-FATA students The CEO added that through the partnership, "Allied Bank strengthens its support towards enabling the next generation of leaders," expressing hope that "this support helps them build the required knowledge and skills to contribute meaningfully to the country’s future.” Chevening is the British government’s international scholarships programme, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and partner organisations. Since 1983, the programme has offered students fully funded one-year master’s degrees at UK universities, covering tuition, living costs and travel. Close to 60,000 people from more than 160 countries and territories have studied in the UK through Chevening. Pakistani alumni work across education, governance, health, climate, business and civil society, helping strengthen UK-Pakistan links.