ISLAMABAD: The University of Chitral is grappling with severe financial challenges due to stagnant funding, prompting urgent calls for government intervention.
During a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training, Senator Falak Naz of the PTI raised the issue, highlighting the university’s struggle to sustain its operations.
The committee, chaired by Senator Bushra Anjum Butt, acknowledged the growing crisis and emphasized the need to increase recurring grants and seed money for universities in remote areas like Chitral. The panel also called for a coordinated strategy among federal and provincial stakeholders to address the financial shortfall.
Officials informed the committee that public university funding had not increased since 2019, putting immense pressure on institutions across the country. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) had requested Rs125 billion for the current fiscal year but received only Rs65 billion, falling far short of requirements.
Chitral University, situated in a geographically isolated and underdeveloped region, has been particularly hard hit. The committee recommended that universities like Chitral’s develop long-term strategies for financial self-sufficiency while appealing to the government for immediate relief to ensure continued educational services.
The matter is expected to be revisited in the next committee meeting, with a demand for concrete proposals from relevant authorities.