University education is a crucial phase in the lifelong learning journey, offering significant contributions beyond individual growth to the overall advancement of society. It equips people with advanced skills necessary for a diverse range of labor markets and provides essential training for various professionals, including teachers, doctors, engineers, civil servants, scientists, and entrepreneurs. These professionals are the backbone of local economies, support civil society, nurture future generations, contribute to effective governance, and make critical decisions that affect societies globally.
In Pakistan, however, the higher education landscape is marred with multiple challenges comprising inadequacies of legal structure, quality assurance, and linkages with the knowledge economy. The Human Development Index 2023 ranks Pakistan at 164, establishing its low human development. Education forms a critical component of human development and presents far from satisfactory performance from primary to higher education. According to the Education Development Index, Pakistan ranks at the bottom among South Asian countries, sharing this position with Nepal and Bangladesh, and trailing significantly behind Sri Lanka and India. This is evident from gross enrollment ratios and adult literacy rates, which reflect broader educational accessibility issues.
The Economic Survey of Pakistan (2023) reveals that the country’s literacy rate is around 60%, with Punjab at 68%. Pakistan’s educational performance lags behind its regional counterparts in the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI), affecting the country’s competitiveness in education-related aspects.
Pakistan has 255 universities, including 150 public and 105 private institutions, enrolling approximately 3.5 million students and employing over 130,000 faculty members. However, access to higher education remains limited, with only 9% of the population enrolled in higher education institutions (HEIs). This situation is worsened by a declining GDP allocation to education over the past three years, affecting overall education expenditures.
Political instability and inadequate law implementation further threaten higher education in the country. Universities need to adapt to these challenges through improved governance, transparency, and robust implementation mechanisms. The economic downturn, characterized by inflation exceeding 30%, additional taxes, and reduced economic activity, also impacts the education sector, businesses, and industries, affecting job prospects for graduates.
Despite these challenges, the private higher education sector in Pakistan is evolving rapidly to meet the demand for a skilled and affordable workforce. The private sector plays a crucial role in providing cutting-edge education, expanding access to education, preparing students for the job market, and offering employment and entrepreneurial opportunities for Pakistani youth. However, the growth and service delivery of private sector higher education institutions are still hindered by various bottlenecks. Regulatory bodies such as the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and others must facilitate the private sector’s role in advancing education quality and accessibility.