A remote high-altitude district where weather and distance cut students off from mainland universities for months
Skardu is the heart of Baltistan, high in the mountains of Gilgit-Baltistan, surrounded by some of the tallest peaks on earth. The University of Baltistan, established in 2017, is a young and important addition — for the first time, students in Skardu have a university of their own. But it is still building its range of programmes, and for many fields students must travel to Islamabad, a journey that depends on weather and can mean either a short flight or a road trip of many hours through the mountains.
Geography defines education in Skardu. In winter, the region can be cut off from the rest of Pakistan for extended periods. Internet and electricity are not always reliable. And yet Gilgit-Baltistan as a whole has a notably high appetite for education and a literacy rate above the national rural average — the Aga Khan Development Network has invested heavily in schooling across the region for decades.
That investment has built a strong foundation, and the scholarships exist to build on it. Skardu students qualify for the LUMS National Outreach Programme, HEC need-based aid, and the Aga Khan Foundation scholarship — the last being especially relevant given the network's deep roots in the region. With guidance, a student from Skardu can reach a top university despite the distance.
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 reimbursement at public-sector universities
If you are from Skardu, plan around the calendar: winter can cut the region off, so build your application timeline with margin and never leave a deadline to the last week. The Aga Khan Foundation scholarship is a natural fit given the network's presence in Baltistan, alongside the LUMS NOP. Start SAT preparation early — online if needed — and use Daakhla to keep your timeline on track regardless of the weather.
Daakhla is just beginning to reach students across Gilgit-Baltistan and has not yet guided a student from Skardu. The region's strong foundation in education and its scholarship pathways make a top university genuinely attainable — and you could be the first from here that we help get there.
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.
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