In a notable move ahead of the 2025–26 federal budget, the Government of Pakistan has allocated over Rs. 9 billion under the upcoming Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for the growth and expansion of five public sector universities across the country. This step highlights the government’s continued focus on strengthening higher education infrastructure and promoting equitable access to learning opportunities nationwide.
According to official documents, the budget allocation is distributed across various regions, targeting universities that play a vital role in regional development and educational upliftment.
The University of Gwadar tops the list with an allocation of Rs. 2.49 billion, marking it as the largest beneficiary. The initiative, approved by the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) in 2022, is seen as a key part of Gwadar’s academic and socioeconomic development, especially given the city’s growing importance under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The Women University Bagh in Azad Jammu and Kashmir will receive Rs. 1.80 billion. Approved back in 2016, this project is aimed at empowering women through access to quality higher education in a region that has long needed such investments.
Next on the list is FATA University, allocated Rs. 1.76 billion. This university, which got CDWP approval in 2015, is pivotal for integrating former tribal regions into the national mainstream through academic and professional training.
The University of Chitral, approved by the Departmental Development Working Party (DDWP) in 2020, will benefit from Rs. 1.72 billion in funding. The university serves as a beacon of higher learning in one of Pakistan’s most remote and scenic regions.
Lastly, University of Sahiwal, also approved by the DDWP in 2020, has been allocated Rs. 1.37 billion, reinforcing the government’s intent to support education in South Punjab.
This major investment in higher education showcases the government’s strategic commitment to regional development, academic excellence, and national integration through education. By supporting these institutions, the PSDP continues to lay the foundation for a more educated, skilled, and inclusive Pakistan.