Concern over the federal government’s decision to withhold money from provincial institutions—including 29 public universities in Sindh—is expressed in a letter signed by the vice chancellors.
The Higher Education Commission (HEC), which has been closed since 2018, receives about Rs 13 billion from the federal government, according to the Vice Chancellors.
Given the strong returns on investment in education demonstrated by nations like China, Korea, Malaysia, and India, the letter expressed hope that the Prime Minister will take the required actions to stabilize and support universities and other higher education institutions.
Given Pakistan’s current financial crisis, the Vice Chancellors stressed the importance of expanding investment in education, particularly in higher and technical education.
It is important to note that due to significant reductions in federal financing from 65 billion to 25 billion rupees, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) ceased providing money for universities with provincial charters.
The federal government chose to lower the previously allotted 65 billion rupees, despite the HEC’s request for 126 billion rupees to fund 160 universities around the country.
Consequently, states will no longer receive funding from the HEC, and universities will now be dependent on provincial finance sources.
