The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has issued a warning, stating that years of stagnating government funding are driving colleges toward a financial crisis that might result in price increases and restrict access for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The education ministry stated in a written response to the National Assembly that, despite a significant increase in student enrollment, faculty, and staff numbers, annual recurring allocations for universities have not altered since 2018–19.

According to the HEC, "this prolonged stagnation not only impedes universities' progress towards financial self-sustainability but may also force them to raise tuition fees, leading to reduced enrollment and greater barriers for underprivileged students."

35% Budget Cut Hits Scholarships

According to the commission, scholarship chances for worthy students have already decreased as a result of a 35% reduction in development grants, from Rs. 61.1 billion in FY 2024–2025 to Rs. 39.5 billion in 2025–2026.

As per, Pakistan presently collaborates with international universities to offer 27 foreign scholarship programs that allow students to pursue postgraduate and bachelor's degrees overseas.

According to economic experts, the government is more concerned with aesthetically pleasing projects like infrastructure and roads than with healthcare and education, which could do further harm to the nation in the future.

Population Growth Outpacing Literacy Gains

While answering a different question, the minister stated that Pakistan's population increased at a pace of 2.55% per year between 2017 and 2023, reaching 241.49 million in the 2023 census. The literacy rate, on the other hand, only rose by 1.8% during the same time period, from 58.9% to 60.7%.

According to him, a significant obstacle to achieving national education goals is the slower rate of literacy increase in comparison to population expansion. With an emphasis on marginalized populations and children who are not enrolled in school, the ministry is growing its non-formal education programs.

Interim leadership is now in place at the HEC. However, the selection of Prof. Dr. Ziaul Haq, Vice Chancellor of Khyber Medical University, for the post of permanent executive director is almost complete. In a few days, he is anticipated to assume command.

The education ministry and the search committee have set up interviews with about thirty shortlisted candidates for the chairman's position for next week.