Undermining universities

S. Akbar Zaidi

Article Type

Article

Description

S. Akbar Zaidi critiques Pakistan’s higher education crisis, highlighting the recent withdrawal of a 25% tax rebate for teachers under IMF pressure, which has reduced faculty salaries and discouraged talent from joining universities. He argues that Pakistan’s 270 universities largely function as degree-awarding institutions rather than centers of learning, with only about 50 providing meaningful education. Chronic financial constraints, poor governance by the HEC, and politically driven proliferation of substandard universities have further weakened the sector. Zaidi stresses that funding alone cannot solve these issues; instead, universities should be differentiated by quality, with stronger institutions granted autonomy and struggling ones given targeted support. He calls for consolidation of existing universities rather than creating new ones, to ensure quality education and prepare youth for employment. Without reform, the so-called demographic dividend risks turning into a burden.

Publication Source

DAWN

Publication Date

8-11-2025

Pages

6

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