Peshawar, Dec 27, 2025: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has informed the federal government that establishing a separate university in Upper Chitral is not feasible due to financial and enrolment constraints.
It recommended instead the expansion of the existing University of Chitral in Lower Chitral.
The position was conveyed during official correspondence following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s announcement on October 31 to establish a separate university in Upper Chitral.
After deliberations, both the federal and provincial governments agreed to pursue the creation of a sub-campus of the University of Chitral in Upper Chitral rather than a new standalone institution.
Officials from the KP Higher Education Department (HED) said a feasibility study for the proposed sub-campus would be initiated soon.
According to official documents, KP currently has 34 public sector universities, including five established in the past five years. The rapid expansion, combined with stagnant federal funding, has resulted in severe financial pressure on existing institutions.
Authorities also noted that the creation of new universities has diluted student enrolment, a major source of revenue for public universities.
HED officials said the University of Chitral, located about two hours from Upper Chitral, is strategically positioned to serve students from both districts.
The university currently has around 1,600 students enrolled across 23 academic programmes, supported by 26 PhD and 38 non-PhD faculty members.
Instead of establishing a new university, the provincial government has proposed cost-effective upgrades to the University of Chitral, including construction of an administration block, girls’ hostel, faculty hostels, central library, multipurpose hall, laboratories, and related infrastructure.
The KP government has also sought an allocation of Rs1 billion to ensure long-term financial sustainability and to support new programmes in allied health sciences, artificial intelligence, and tourism.
Officials further urged the federal government to restore and enhance the Higher Education Commission’s recurring grants to help cover faculty salaries, research expenses, and operational deficits.
The debate over new universities has intensified after KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi directed the HED to explore proposals for two additional universities, including the Arshad Sharif University. Academia, however, has expressed concern, urging the government to strengthen existing institutions instead.
Several universities in KP are reportedly facing severe financial distress, with some unable to pay staff salaries and pensions.
Low student enrolment has also forced leading institutions, including the University of Peshawar, to close multiple academic programmes during the Fall 2025 admissions cycle.
KP, with a population exceeding 40 million, currently has the same number of public universities as Punjab, which has a population of over 127 million, further highlighting concerns over sustainability and resource allocation.
Related: