HIGHER education is considered a key pillar of a country’s development and prosperity.
It contributes to the progress of society, boosts socio-economic growth, and serves as a vital source of knowledge and information. Higher learning institutions not only foster individual growth but also provide multi-dimensional opportunities to develop critical thinking skills and learn from experts in various fields. Therefore, higher education is not just a traditional path; it is an opportunity to expand horizons, gain life experiences, and prepare people to navigate complex global challenges. Globally, education falls under federal responsibility, and governments are accountable for fulfilling its academic and financial requirements, which are essential for national development, nation-building, and state-building.
In developing countries, including Pakistan, authorities often fail to recognize the importance of education, particularly higher education, which forms the backbone of national prosperity. According to the UNESCO report 2025, developing countries, including Pakistan, frequently perceive higher education as a fiscal burden rather than an essential investment in national development. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), higher education is in severe crisis, primarily due to chronic financial shortfalls caused by mismanagement, political appointments, and uneasy centerprovince relations. This situation has led to failing infrastructure, declining educational standards, low student enrollment, and a widespread brain drain. The 18th Amendment further worsened the financial situation of institutions, as smaller provinces like KP struggle to manage the burden of higher education. Challenges such as reduced federal funding, lower provincial allocations, and inconsistent standards have undermined the sector, resulting in quality decline, research stagnation, and neglected infrastructure.
The state of higher education in KP continues to deteriorate due to successive governments’ lack of interest and investment. Many universities have been established without proper planning, often for political gain rather than educational advancement. Each government implements its own agenda without consulting academicians and experts, preventing institutions from achieving meaningful results. Government involvement in higher education has often been described as an “experimental laboratory,” marked by instability, sporadic reforms, and damage to the learning environment for students and teachers. Moreover, the actions of former Higher Education Commission (HEC) chairman Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman adversely affected the overall quality, effectiveness, and academic standards of higher education, misaligning them with national needs and global trends.
The lack of funding and insufficient resources from the KP government has created an alarming situation in higher learning institutions. Serving teachers, retired professors, and staff face significant hardships, which negatively impacts the future of the nation’s human capital. Authorities must remember that pensions are compulsory payments owed to those who have served in public or private institutions upon reaching retirement age. These payments are a legitimate, constitutional right, not charity or discretionary donations. Pensions represent deferred compensation for services rendered, and the government is legally obligated to provide financial assistance to retirees to ensure a dignified life. The Supreme Court of Pakistan and other regional courts have repeatedly affirmed that pension benefits are a vested right protected under law, rules, and regulations.
It is therefore essential for the provincial government to fulfil its responsibilities and ensure timely payment of salaries and pensions to all concerned, without bias. The current chaotic and dysfunctional system, which has become routine, is damaging the government’s reputation and adversely affecting educational standards. Care for the pensioner community is particularly critical, as their suffering could create challenges for both provincial and federal authorities. A thorough pension system must be implemented to stabilize financial governance. There is still time for the provincial government to take appropriate measures to avoid a worst-case scenario in higher education financial governance. As the adage goes, “justice delayed is justice denied.” Failure to act will result in a shortage of experts and negatively impact Pakistan’s productivity in the global knowledge economy.
—The writer is a Defence and Security Analyst based in Islamabad.
