Only 4 Pakistani Universities Make it to Top 1000 in the World

Every year organizations such as Quacquarelli Symonds and Times Higher Education (THE) rank universities across the world. The rankings are based on several factors and collectively represent a varsity’s worth.

This year’s Times Higher Education rankings have placed just 4 Pakistani universities in the top 1000 rankings. It’s not a good situation as last year, 7 universities made it to the top 1000.

Pakistani University Rankings

The top ranking Pakistani university in the world, according to THE is Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU). Last year QAU was in the 601-800 band, however this time around the university has cracked the top 500 and ranks between 401-500.

Other Pakistani universities in top 1000 include:

  • COMSATS Institute of Information Technology,
  • National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST)
  • University of Agriculture, Faisalabad.

The first two are ranked in the 601-800 group while the University of Agriculture is ranked in the 801+ group.

How Other Universities/Countries Ranked

The top spot went to Oxford University while University of Cambridge was ranked 2nd. Stanford University and California Institute of Technology were both ranked at 3rd spot.

Comparing Pakistan against its neighbors, 60 universities made it to top 1000 from China while 30 and 11 made it from India and Iran respectively.

Disappointing State of Affairs

The lack of Pakistani universities in the top 1000 is disappointing, said Times Higher Education Global Rankings Editorial Director Phil Baty. He added that the low number of Pakistani universities is due to a lack of funding.

However he does seem hopeful that CPEC will turn the situation around,

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor unveiled by Chinese president Xi Jinping in 2013 and now in its first phase of implementation has been touted as a potential way for Pakistan to build the technological capacity of its universities,

He also appreciated the effort by QAU in getting to top 500 despite the tough global competition.

A techie, gamer, and Senior Editor at ProPakistani.


  • well… not sure about authenticity of these stats. The Comsats fresh graduates are average as compared to other universities, I have been noticing this since many years now during interviews. Instead the Universities like GIKI, LUMS, NUST, IBA are doing really good.

    • I dont agree. I have seen alot of Comsian on high posts. They always do Alumni Dear Annualy. Not only Faculty but students as well are publishing highest impact factor publications which is the main reason of their presence.

      • I don’t disagree with you, my point is they are not ready to face real world. University is not spending much to prepare them for first impact in Job market. They may be doing good in publications etc. But the comparison is between top ranked universities as i mentioned in my post.

    • Where do NUCES-FAST and PU, Lahore stand? PUCIT graduates are much brighter than that of among listed universities.

  • A lot of contrasting news. One portal says 7 made it within thousand, the other says 4 and now 10. Genuine facts please.

  • FAST, LUMS, GIKI, NUST, IBA, QAU, NED, UET Lahore these are top universities of Pakistan.
    Their graduates are always better than others. Don’t know why these universities are not seemed to be in these lists.


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