The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has warned that years of stagnant federal funding are pushing universities toward a financial crisis, potentially forcing tuition fee hikes and limiting access for underprivileged students.
According to a written reply submitted to the National Assembly, the education ministry said annual recurring allocations for universities have remained unchanged since 2018–19, despite a sharp rise in student enrolment, faculty and staff numbers.
“This prolonged stagnation not only impedes universities’ progress towards financial self-sustainability but may also force them to increase tuition fees, leading to reduced enrolment and greater barriers for underprivileged students,” the HEC stated.
35% Cut in Development Budget Hits Scholarships
The commission reported that a 35% cut in development grants, from Rs. 61.1 billion in FY 2024-25 to Rs. 39.5 billion in 2025-26, has already reduced scholarship opportunities for deserving students.
Education Minister Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui presented the reply in response to questions raised by MNA Anjum Aqeel. The minister said Pakistan currently offers 27 foreign scholarship programs in collaboration with international universities, enabling students to pursue higher education abroad from bachelor’s to postdoctoral levels.
Economic experts have claimed that the government is more focused on presentable projects like roads and infrastructure than healthcare and education, which may go on to hurt the country even more in the future.
Population Growth Outpacing Literacy Gains
Responding to a separate query, the minister said Pakistan’s population reached 241.49 million in the 2023 census, growing at 2.55% annually between 2017 and 2023. In contrast, the literacy rate increased only from 58.9% to 60.7%, a rise of just 1.8% over the same period.
He said the slower improvement in literacy, compared to population growth, presents a major challenge in meeting national education targets. The ministry is expanding non-formal education initiatives, focusing on out-of-school children and marginalised communities.
HEC Leadership Appointments Underway
The HEC is currently operating under interim leadership. However, the process of appointing a permanent executive director is nearing completion, with Prof Dr Ziaul Haq, Vice Chancellor of Khyber Medical University, selected for the position. He is expected to take charge within days.
For the chairman’s post, the search committee and the education ministry have scheduled interviews with around 30 shortlisted candidates next week.
Stay Connected with ProPakistani
Get the latest education news, admissions updates, and scholarship alerts wherever you prefer.
Add ProPakistani to Preferred Sources and see more of our stories in Google Search and Top Stories.
That’s what happens when you send all the public funds to either military or the roads.
You deny all access to a huge part of the country. Reduce jobs.
Not to mention all the wealthy own the schools which charge high fee. Oh and they list as non profit so they can avoid paying taxes.
Funny how is all by design
آپ نے بالکل صحیح کہا جہاں سے ان کو فائدہ ہوتا ہے وہی کام کرتے ہیں
فوج سے اقتدار میں آنے کا راستہ
سڑکوں کی تعمیر میں کمیشن کا کھاتہ
Universities are very rich. Recently my son got admission in cust university. He deposited fee of 1st semester. Then he was offered admission in 2nd merit list by a better university.
The cust university retained 125,000/- for four months. Despite the refund application was submitted in same week. Later on i came to know that almost 170 x students refund was pending.
They kept the money for 4 x months and then at the end when refunded back 20,000/- was deducted by every student as processing fee.
I submitted complaint to HEC. However, no one from HEC even bothered tp answer the complaint.
University MAFIA is another biggest MAFIA.
That’s not mafia. That’s govt destroying the education sector
Lodge a complaint with presidency, you will get full reimbursement
Even low key private schools are just robbing parents in the name of education where in school, there is zero practical work,unprofessional teachers,unstable staff and politics among teachers in which head is also involved,no subject specialist for many subjects.
Education is the basic need of every citizen and these new laws enforcement deprive students from basic need.
If the government want to increase tuition fee then they should increase the monthly wages so that we can submit our tuition fee
Budget ka Sirf 1 to 2% hi building aur Road par lagay ga baqi apni pocket may jy ga.
Government ko Q fiker ho gi Awam ki