Critics argue that universities have failed to make a meaningful contribution to Pakistan’s economic development. Therefore, they question the justification for allocating public funds to institutions that are not delivering the expected results. While I partially agree that our higher education system has not performed as effectively as it should have, I believe the solution lies in a clear, well-thought-out, and realistic policy reform. This should include both short-term and long-term measures to drive positive change. However, the crucial question remains: Is withdrawing from public sector higher education, as the government is currently doing, a viable solution, or will it push Pakistan into an even deeper crisis?
Many might assume that the government's withdrawal from higher education began after the country's economic downturn following COVID-19. However, the reality is that this process started as early as 2018 when the federal government capped the recurring grant for the Higher Education Commission (HEC) at Rs. 65 billion in the FY2017-18 budget—a figure that has remained unchanged to this day. In the years following COVID-19, the Pakistani rupee saw a significant decline in value, and inflation surged sharply. As a result, by FY2021-22, HEC’s share of GDP had dropped to just 0.14%.
For FY2024-25, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) submitted a funding request of Rs. 125 billion to the federal government to address the ongoing crisis, as many public sector universities are struggling to pay staff salaries. However, instead of increasing the budget, the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC)—Pakistan’s high-powered decision-making body—decided on November 16, 2023, to cut state funding for public universities by Rs. 24 billion. Following demands and special requests from various stakeholders, the original grant of Rs. 65 billion was ultimately maintained.
The threat of further budget cuts looms large in the upcoming fiscal year. Even if no additional cuts are made, simply maintaining the HEC budget at Rs. 65 billion for a few more years would be disastrous, even for Pakistan’s top-ranking public universities. Institutions like Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) Islamabad—which has consistently held the highest national and international rankings since the inception of the ranking system in Pakistan—are already facing severe financial strain. This should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers, as even QAU is already struggling to pay salaries to its employees.
The complete privatisation of higher education would come at a significant cost to the nation, widening the gap between the privileged and the underprivileged
In recent years, numerous provincial universities have witnessed repeated strikes by teaching faculty and administrative staff due to unpaid salaries. Academic activities have been severely disrupted, as universities struggle not only to fund research and maintain scientific laboratories but also to meet basic financial obligations like staff salaries. This ongoing financial crisis in public sector universities threatens the overall quality and sustainability of higher education in Pakistan.
The timing of this withdrawal has been particularly damaging for universities like Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), which previously did not offer a bachelor's program. The introduction of the four-year bachelor's program coincided with the government's funding cuts, creating additional financial strain. This transition added two extra years of education at institutions like QAU, bringing in students immediately after their intermediate and A-levels. As a result, universities now require more teaching staff, additional hostels, expanded infrastructure, and greater resources to accommodate the increased academic and logistical demands. However, with dwindling funding, meeting these needs has become an immense challenge.
For universities like QAU, the timing of this funding withdrawal could not have been worse. It hit like a bombshell, creating challenges for faculty, administration, and students alike. With limited financial resources, universities were forced to rely heavily on visiting faculty to teach most of the BS courses, as hiring regular staff required additional funding—something that was already under severe strain due to the budget cuts. This unsustainable model has further exacerbated the crisis in higher education, impacting the quality and stability of academic programmes.
This situation has led to a decline in both teaching and research standards, as faculty members now face increased teaching hours with less time for research. The combined strain of the four-year BS program and the funding cuts has placed immense pressure on universities. As a result, uncertainty has grown, leading to more protests, conflicts, and deeper challenges for higher education in Pakistan. If these issues remain unaddressed, the long-term consequences could be detrimental to the country's academic and economic future.
Among universities, the so-called Centres of Excellence (CoEs)—now totaling 49, according to the HEC website—are a particularly vulnerable case. While most CoEs are affiliated with universities, their status within these institutions is often secondary, almost like a stepchild. Established through an Act of Parliament in 1974, CoEs receive separate funding directly from the HEC. However, under the current withdrawal of financial support, they are among the hardest hit. With the limited funds HEC receives from the government, its top priority is its employees, followed by universities, leaving CoEs at the very bottom of the funding hierarchy. As a result, CoEs are bearing the worst impact of this policy, putting their future at serious risk.
A country that refuses to invest in its future is bound to face long-term consequences. If we fail to prioritise higher education today, we risk a bleak future for generations to come
The biggest casualty of this withdrawal policy is students from underprivileged communities. To cover financial deficits, universities have repeatedly increased tuition fees, making higher education increasingly unaffordable for lower-income families. For these communities, higher education represents the only viable path to upward mobility. However, with continuous fee hikes, even the right to dream of a better future is being taken away from them, deepening socioeconomic inequalities and limiting opportunities for social progress.
In my opinion, even if withdrawing from higher education funding was deemed necessary, it could have been planned far more effectively. Most critically, it should not have been implemented alongside the introduction of the four-year bachelor's program. At the very least, these two major policy shifts—both with significant financial implications for public universities—should not have been enforced simultaneously. Their combined impact has severely destabilised the financial standing of many universities, making it nearly impossible for them to sustain quality education and operations.
The government must reassess its policy of withdrawing from higher education and critically evaluate its shortcomings. It is essential to ask: If this approach continues unchecked, where will it lead Pakistan? A clear, long-term vision is urgently needed. Before opening new campuses, both federal and provincial governments must first conduct a thorough analysis of the performance of existing public universities. The priority should be to strengthen and equip these institutions to ensure their sustainability and effectiveness, rather than expanding an already struggling system.
Each university faces its own unique set of challenges, requiring tailored solutions. Some institutions may need only administrative reforms, while others require substantial financial support. A significant issue is the growing pension liability, as many universities failed to establish proper endowment funds to sustain retiree benefits. Before imposing budget, cuts and withdrawing financial support, the government must first address these structural issues to ensure the long-term stability and viability of higher education institutions.
It must be remembered that higher education is not like PIA or Steel Mills, which can simply be privatised and forgotten. The complete privatisation of higher education would come at a significant cost to the nation, widening the gap between the privileged and the underprivileged. A country that refuses to invest in its future is bound to face long-term consequences. If we fail to prioritise higher education today, we risk a bleak future for generations to come.