ISLAMABAD: The Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Associations (FAPUASA) has made an urgent appeal to the federal and provincial governments to dramatically raise the budget allocation for higher education in the upcoming fiscal year 2025–2026, warning that continued underfunding is pushing public universities to the brink of collapse.
During a joint session with the All Government Employees Grand Alliance (AGEGA) at Quaid-i-Azam University, FAPUASA leadership underscored the dire state of Pakistan’s higher education sector. Despite the number of universities expanding from 120 to 156 institutions, the recurring annual grant has remained stagnant at Rs65 billion since 2017.
This static funding does not reflect the surging inflation, operational costs, and a 130% increase in salaries and utility bills, the association said. The situation has left many universities unable to cover basic expenses, including timely salary disbursement and pension payments.
The association pointed out that even the Higher Education Commission (HEC)’s request for Rs86 billion for FY 2025–26 falls well short of what is actually required. FAPUASA argues that without a minimum allocation of Rs200 billion, Pakistan’s universities will struggle to survive, let alone deliver quality research and education.
“This is not a routine demand—it is a survival call for Pakistan’s higher education institutions,” said a FAPUASA representative. “We are witnessing systemic decline, and without immediate intervention, public universities may no longer remain viable.”
FAPUASA reiterated its long-standing call for 5% of the GDP to be allocated to the education sector, with 2% earmarked for higher education. These figures were originally committed in the election manifestos of leading political parties, including PML-N and PPP, but have yet to materialize in actual budgetary allocations.
The association emphasized that the federal government must take the lead by raising the recurring grant to at least Rs200 billion, while provincial governments must also begin contributing meaningfully to support institutions within their jurisdictions. The time for symbolic gestures has passed—what’s needed now is sustained, structural investment.
The leadership also warned that chronic underfunding is not just a financial issue—it poses a grave threat to national progress, innovation, and youth development. Public universities are crucial for preparing Pakistan’s future workforce, producing research, and driving socio-economic advancement.
Without urgent reform and increased investment, the entire higher education framework in Pakistan risks becoming unsustainable. FAPUASA’s plea comes at a critical juncture, just weeks before the federal budget is to be finalized.
Failure to address this crisis will result in brain drain, declining academic standards, and the collapse of institutions that once stood as pillars of knowledge and development. This is a national imperative—and it demands immediate and bold action.
