PESHAWAR: The provincial task force on higher education on Thursday called upon the provincial government to implement its report regarding reforms to improve quality assurance, governance mechanisms and financial sustainability across public sector universities in the province.

Members of the task force met at the Khyber Medical University here and held discussions on key challenges facing the higher education sector, including financial constraints, administrative bottlenecks, declining academic standards, governance issues, and the need for greater institutional autonomy, according to a news release.

They discussed driving transformative changes within the higher education sector in accordance with the directives of Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur.

The meeting’s primary agenda was to review the reforms report prepared by the task force, which consolidates feedback and suggestions from academic experts, university leaders and other stakeholders.

Discusses key challenges of higher education sector

The meeting was attended by secretary of the higher education department Ghulam Saeed, vice chancellors of major public sector universities, educationists, and senior government officials.

The secretary commended the efforts of the task force, especially convener Prof Ziaul Haq, along with members Prof Usman Ghani, Prof Jamil, Dr Yorid Ahsan Zia, Prof Gul, Imran Marwat and others.

He said uplifting the quality of higher education remained a top priority of the provincial government.

Mr Saeed also acknowledged the serious structural and fiscal difficulties facing public universities and said robust short-, medium- and long-term strategies were being

developed, with final recommendations to be submitted to the provincial leadership shortly.

The participants appreciated the “clarity and practicality” of the report, noting its relevance to the province’s unique socio-economic realities and security environment, according to the release.

It added that experts applauded the government’s political commitment to the cause and expressed confidence that the proposed changes would lead to meaningful improvements in institutional performance, academic excellence and broader societal development.

The meeting concluded with a joint commitment from all stakeholders to working collaboratively — across universities, the higher education department and associated institutions — to ensure timely and effective execution of the recommended reforms.

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2025