Public sector universities across Punjab are experiencing a steep fall in student admissions this year, prompting concern among academics and policymakers about the state of higher education in the province.
Official figures from the Punjab Higher Education Department indicate that enrollment in undergraduate, MPhil, and PhD programs has declined by 20% to 30% in many institutions. Large universities such as Punjab University Lahore, Government College University Faisalabad, and Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan have reported fewer admissions than expected. Smaller institutions in districts like Dera Ghazi Khan, Sahiwal, and Narowal are facing even greater challenges, struggling to fill seats in their most sought-after disciplines.
Educationists link the decline to a combination of factors — economic strain, outdated academic programs, and a widening gap between university degrees and job market demands.
“This is a worrying trend that points to a deeper crisis in our education system,” said Prof. Dr. Munawar Sabir, former chairman of Punjab University’s Geography Department. “For many families, even public universities have become unaffordable due to hostel costs, transportation, books, and other expenses.”
Parents from rural and low-income urban areas say inflation has made higher education a luxury they can no longer afford. Shamsa Bibi, a resident of a village near Narowal, shared that her son, despite performing well in his intermediate exams, had to give up his university plans. “He is now working in a factory because we can’t manage the expenses,” she said.
Experts also criticize the outdated nature of many degree programs. “Several universities are still teaching in formats that haven’t changed in two decades,” said Prof. Dr. Muhammad Arshad Ali. “The job market has evolved, but our degrees haven’t. Without employable skills, students don’t see the point of investing years in university.”
As a result, more young people are turning to skill-based diplomas, short professional courses, and online certifications, which they believe offer faster and more reliable employment. The growth of freelancing and gig work has also shifted priorities, with many opting to learn digital skills over pursuing formal degrees.
While some universities have introduced programs in IT, data science, and business innovation, these efforts remain sporadic and lack consistency across Punjab. Career guidance services are scarce, and few institutions have strong partnerships with industries to help graduates transition into relevant jobs.
The drop in MPhil and PhD admissions is particularly concerning for faculty members, who warn it could hamper research and academic development in the province.
Education experts are urging immediate government intervention. Suggested steps include subsidized or free transportation for students, expanded scholarships for low-income families, reduced entry test fees, simplified online admission processes, and an overhaul of curricula to align with industry requirements.
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Going down the drain.
the feature image you have used is of International Islamic University
Easy . Where are the jobs ? If I have to work hard to get education
It is responsibility of the country and university to get us jobs. Or refund the fee
Pakistan is a very unfortunate country, being ruled by Mafia across the board, they have scant love for the future of our Motherland.
It’s all because of this fucking outdated system of Pakistan.
You can also say bad
Lack of jobs is the biggest factor. I am currently pursuing a Mphil degree and my bachelors degree did me no good in securing a job. Even after securing the MPhil degree, the situation wouldn’t change apparently. Lack of employable skills is also a major reason along with the obsolete curriculum. I don’t think the financial burden is as big a factor as they might think because if people though their investment would bore them fruit, they would make that sacrifice, but they don’t think that. I have seen many who aren’t interested in getting a degree because they know they would get no help from it in securing a job, so they think it’s useless and a waste of time. They would rather save that time and money to either invest, do business with it or try to go abroad. At least 80 percent of youth doesn’t want to stay in Pakistan and wish to go abroad. I’ve been trying to get a government job but it seems I’ll have to go abroad as well due to the extremely severe competition and unremarkably limited jobs, it’s the last resort. Most of the youth think there future isn’t safe here, and they might be right! Also, defiance of merit, bribery and favoritism is also a major factor people have lost faith in the system, including me. There’s just too much corruption and the state of our state is no good with the government being indifferent towards the citizens, especially the youth and their needs. The government will collapse the society if it keeps on benefiting the rich and destroying the lower and middle classes. I see the number of people wishing to leave Pakistan growing with each day. I never wanted to leave Pakistan and still don’t, but the government is forcing our hand because we have to secure our future. I am beginning to think I should have gone abroad a long time ago instead of wasting my time in getting these degrees here, instead I could have studied abroad and settle there, atleast my future would have been secure by now. The situation is more grim than it seems!
When government universities increase their merit so much that only those who score 90% marks can take admission, where will the students below them go?Because students get free admission even in private schools and They have turned education into a business, only those with a lot of money can study, while a middle class whose financial situation is very bad. Should he work and run the household or pay such a high fee?
Dear Umar, True Said. Mostly students pay money or give gifts to the teachers. In a reward, the teacher gives extra ordinary numbers in exam. They mostly take the above 3.0 GPA or get 70% marks in annual system. But in result, mostly cannot write a letter any kind of. Universities also have the merit of 3.0 GPA and 70% marks in annual systems. If the universities down the merit 2.5 GPA and 60% marks in annual system then PhD admissions may be increased. Universities can take the test for admission. I have the 64% marks in annual system and completed my research project in 8 years in MBA (B&F) 3.5 Years. I have a only student who did own research. All other students pay money for it. There is not any university where I can get admission in PhD Business Administration. Few days ago, my friend shared a link of western University which was offering PhD in Business Administration with 2.0 GPA and 50% annual marks. Other countries students didn’t used chat gpt for research project. This software is banned in western countries. Because it damage the students creative thinking. But Pakistan allowed it. In a result, there is huge difference between the research result and ground realities.
Some parents cannot afford fee for their children and they just allow boys to educate.
There is a system needed to educate parents.
And on the other side these type of parents sometimes allow their daughter but because of merit they don’t get admission in the result their parents fix their marriage
And by the way there are less seats but apple rate is more than the seats those who get admission are lucky but those who can’t get admission their admission fees goes to universities account.For increasing their bank balance they are just saying that the admission rate is decreasing.
What about their offering are not they less?
This is wake up call for Punjab university to improve their education standard. Abolish departments like Punjabi, Persian,Islamiat etc.
Start departments that impart vocational training to students. Ageing population is problem in Europe and other rich countries like Japan etc. What are the ways and procedures to tap this opportunities? Appoint think tanks who are really good and have International experience.
Bargaining your culture for some sucked dollars? All the developed countries or countries which are on another level in progress are investing heavily on this side like USA’s (NEA) spent $180 million, China spent 4.59% of GDP in 2023 in this. So leaving your culture is not a good suggestion 😕.
Sorry for the last fact
There is no research in M Phil and Ph D . Cut, copy and paste is simple tactic of thesis and research papers.
Dear Habib Ahmad, True Said. Mostly our Professors did not know the way of research.
Pakistan education system is now facing the reality check. I hate this education system and not interested in getting these fucking outdated and bad professor’s university and more than that no facilities,lack of equality, favouritism is more common by the teachers those who get high marks what about other people’s who pay them so then their houses will run but they focus on toppers who are on scholarship. No one is allowed to change this education system. Focusing more on theory and less on skills and practical works . This is over lingering education means nothing and system has no system .
😂😂👌🏼
Well, with the merits skyrocketing and no fair board marking, how many people do they think are gonna get admission?
I am a freelancer with a BS degree. I wanted to apply for MBA in Punjab University. But, apparently, the admission fee for the test is freaking 13k. Can you even imagine?
Do some simple math and you’ll find how they’ve intentionally made this a business to ge5 easy cash from struggling people.
I decided to rather continue freelancing. I don’t have 13k that will go down the drain if I don’t score 90% on the merit list. The truth is even government institutes have made education a business where only authorities benefit while students only learn concepts that are not even applicable in the actual world.
I want to get higher education so badly but the money making system has ruined those chances.
محترم فاخر, یہ ہی تو ان کا منصوبہ ہے۔ فیسیں اتنی بڑھا دو کہ نہ بچے پڑھیں، نہ نوکریاں مانگیں۔پڑھ گئے تو نوکریاں مانگیں گے، تنخواہیں مانگیں گے اور ملک کیلئے کچھ کرنا چاہیں گے جو کہ انکو گوارا نہیں۔ اس لئیے انہوں نے آسان طریقہ ڈھونڈا کہ فیسیں بڑھاؤ تاکہ بچے نہ پڑھ سکیں
Public sector University fees have risen too high for middle class especially rural area population.secondly job ratio in market is too low. It has become hard for middle class parents to fulfill the fees requirements, hostels, transport expenses etc even for public sector universities.
Does the writer think the situation is ideal in private universities? I smell a bias against public universities in this write up. It’ll be much better if the writer supports his views with statistics. Would he like to explain how he got access to Shamsa bibi?
The picture added on the front page isn’t of the University of Punjab. It’s of the international Islamic university Islamabad. Kindly replace this picture as this matter can indirectly harm the university’s reputation.
Also their criteria and eligibility for admission is like if they are recruiting an astronaut for NASA or some space program. AiOU and other universities have alao made admission process so complicated in name of technology that it’s impossible for average person coming from anywhere to have that sort fo stamina. Earlier way was so easy.
Education process should be made more accessible rather than bureaucratic.
Yes, subjects arw outdated …long length, QAI University has still better programs.
Opening open of so many franchise private college and universities around Punjab may have also added to this drop out ratio. Just like ratio of vehicles on the road is humongous and unchecked similarly ratio or.private & public universities and colleges is unchecked.
HEC annual expenditure on their employee, maintenance of the buildings, infrastructures in the whole country. This seems wastage of so much of taxes. HEC is not able to give any fruitful solution to the parents for their children. I can give an example of 250 affiliated colleges of pharmacy, their staff’s education standard, revision of syllabai by an independent and active faculty is not revised since 2013. Only university of the the Punjab took some initiative. It is then died down abruptly. Because, Pharmacy Council law of 1967 is out dated.
I want to take admission in Punjab university Lahore in LLB but I unfortunately miss my admission entry test exam and I thought there are many students who want to get admission but they miss their entry exam so that’s why please make an third phase admission entry so more students get the opportunity in securing admission
Tf u even saying??
Yapper 😂
یہ بھوسڑی کے ہر سمسٹر میں 5-10-15-20 ہزار فیس بڑھا دیتے ھیں۔ یہاں ایک سمسٹر کی فیس ڈیڑھ لاکھ سے ڈھای لاکھ ہو چکی ہے۔
چار سال ڈگری 10 سے 25 لاکھ میں مل رہی ہے تو اس سے اچھا ہے اتنے پیسوں میں اپنا چھوٹا کاروبار کر لیں۔
یہ یونیورسٹیاں نہیں۔ کمرشل ادارے ھیں
ان نام نہاد استادوں پروفیسروں لیکچرر کو اگر یونیورسٹی نکال دے نا تو یہ اس قابل نہیں کہ یہ ریڑھی لگا کر اپنا گزارا کر سکیں
انہیں خود کچھ آتا نہیں تو یہ طلبا کو پتا نہیں کیا سکھاتے ہوں گے۔
انہوں نے ایک دن بھی انڈسٹری میں یا بزنس میں نہیں لگایا
ہوتا اور یہ یونیورسٹی میں آ کر ہمیں چمڑ جاتے ھیں
یونیورسٹیاں کم چکلے زیادہ بنی ہوی ھیں
ویڈیوز دیکھنی ھیں اسلامیہ یونیورسٹی بہاولپور کی دیکھ لو
میں نے پنجاب یونیورسٹی سے پرائیویٹ امیدوار کے طور پر بی۔اے کا امتحان دیا اور انہوں نے فیل کر دیا کیونکہ میں نے ان کی جیبیں نہیں بھری ۔کم وسائل کے ہونے کا یہ صلہ ملتا ہے ۔
اچھے الفاظ کا استعمال کریں اپنی رائے کے اظہار کے لیے ۔۔۔۔محترم و مکرم
There is nothing new…….as whole country’s all departments are facing a steep downfall so is the education………so wake up as a nation and try hard to come out of this deep well of backwardness and say a big no to the MAFIA……please
The real issue of decrease in the number of admissions is not the outdated syllabus alone but the long and hectic duration of the degrees where students have the appear physically at campus in this age of IT when same lectures could be attended at your home PC or Mobiles. 4 years duration is extremely long period. Even in Europe they are offering engineering in three years. While in Pakistan the greedy university owners ganged up against External Degree systems (Private BA BSc and MA MSc, LLB) etc. Have they not noticed why Virtual university admissions have increased? Because their mode of study is easy and students don’t have to become slaves for four years
Yes,I read all the above article and I agree each and every line of this article.
I would like to mention here that one of many other cause is the outdated syllabus being taught in the universities. My son is doing BS Comp Science online frome a well known uni. Those recorded lectures are being given to him, recoded 7 to 8 years earlier. Whereas most of these are no relation with the current advancement. That is why the students have no valid job in the market after completing their deree.
List punjab
Also the high merit is a big reason
Students thinks that the seats is limited in all public sector universities and only the toppers reserve seats there is no place for us to get Admission in our desired field
Excellent, and true topic .
Government should take steps to Solve the issues.
Already literacy rate is very low, and now drastically declining
I have submitted the form for admission but they asked me there is no more seat in the punjab university….this news shocked me…this is true???
Education is not aligned with the job market at present. Fresh ideas will help to keep it up to date with the latest trends in the industry. This report reflects a very unusual approach to the formal education. Fresh studies are required to be conducted to ensure a healthy trends in the education sector.
Unfortunately higher education is doing nothing to encourage government universities to admit students,instead the various private universities extorting heavy fees from students which they are unable to pay,that is why they stop studying in Pakistan
It’s very unfortunate but it is the destiny of People of Pakistan.
Please my admission confirm
I have completed my M.Phil biochemistry last year, and eagerly want to do PhD, but due to financial issues could not pursue it. I have also tried for multiple jobs but no response yet.
It is because outdated education from class 5 to PhD and immigration of male students after 12 to support the family
In their Jhelum Campus, despite having a massive popularity of Computer Science, they reduced the seats from 200 to 50!
Obviously students started to target other universities then. God bless with hidayah to those delusional policy makers.
My dream I learnt in this university
Maulana Abul Kalam Azad – (1888–1958)
“I feel that the Muslims who are supporting Pakistan will regret it sooner or later. They are being led into a blind alley. The future generations of Muslims will curse their leaders who divided India and weakened them.”