ISLAMABAD, January 18: Allama Iqbal Open University as a prestigious national educational institution is striving hard to provide quality educational facilities to Pakistani population and particularly its underprivileged and marginalized strata located in the far flung areas of the country. In this regard, Prof Dr Zia Ul -Qayyum, VC, AIOU has directed all regional directors to initiate massive awareness campaigns throughout the country about university’s scholarships, fee concession and financial assistance schemes so that no one is deprived of education owing to lack of financial resources. It is pertinent to mention here that university is playing its due role in the process of national progress and development byproviding free matriculation education to the people of Baluchistan, former FATA and GB. Moreover, scholarships and fee concession schemes have been launched to provide financial assistance to the poor and the needy. Furthermore, prisoners, transgenders and children of martyrs are also provided free educational facilities to secure their bright future. – NNI