Southern KP district served mainly by one university; students seeking elite institutions travel far
Dera Ismail Khan — known across Pakistan simply as D.I. Khan — anchors the southern reach of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the province meets Punjab and Balochistan. Gomal University serves the district and the wider southern KP region, but a single comprehensive university for a population of over 1.6 million means places are scarce and choice is limited. Students aiming higher look to Peshawar, Islamabad, or Lahore.
Southern KP has historically received less educational investment than the province's north, and the security situation across the region in past years disrupted schooling for a generation of students. The result is a district where ability is abundant but guidance is rare — few schools can prepare a student for the SAT or walk a family through a scholarship application.
What changes the equation is targeted financial aid. D.I. Khan students qualify for the KPK Government Scholarship, the LUMS National Outreach Programme, and HEC need-based support. These programmes are built for students from underserved districts, and they can cover the full cost of attending a top national university.
Full scholarship — tuition, accommodation, and monthly stipend
Up to Rs 40,000 per semester (tuition support)
50% grant + 50% loan (effectively full support for those who cannot repay)
Full tuition at public universities; partial at private
Full tuition reimbursement at public-sector universities
If you are from D.I. Khan, Gomal University is a solid local base — but the KPK Government Scholarship and LUMS NOP can take you much further. Both prioritise students from southern KP and underserved districts. The earlier you begin SAT preparation, the stronger your position. Contact Daakhla at the start of FSc so we can sequence your applications and make sure no scholarship deadline slips past you.
Daakhla is a new organisation and has not yet guided a student from D.I. Khan — you could be the first. The scholarships that fund students from southern KP are open to you now, and we will help you reach a top university.
Free admissions counselling and SAT preparation for students from Pakistan’s underserved districts. Rs 10,000 for both programmes — full financial aid for those who need it.
Apply for free counselling →