Vice Chancellors from 21 public universities in Sindh have collectively written to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, appealing for Rs 16 billion to prevent a financial crisis. In their letter, the Vice Chancellors expressed deep concern over the suspension of federal government grants to provincial universities, affecting 29 public sector institutions in Sindh. These universities rely heavily on the Rs 13 billion annual allocation from the Higher Education Commission (HEC), which has been withheld since 2018. The letter underscored the vital role of education in national development, citing successful models from countries like China, Korea, Malaysia, and India.
It urged the Prime Minister to intervene and stabilize higher education institutions, emphasizing the urgent need for sustained investment in education amid Pakistan’s financial challenges. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) recently announced a significant reduction in its grant allocation, from 65 billion to 25 billion rupees. This decision has prompted the suspension of funding for provincially chartered universities, compelling them to seek alternative funding sources.
