LAHORE: Fifty-six public and private sector universities from Pakistan have secured positions in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2027, with Quaid-i-Azam University emerging as the country’s highest-ranked institution in the 551–600 band.

According to the rankings released by THE on Sept 30, the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) secured the 601–650 band, while COMSATS University Islamabad was placed in the 651–700 band. Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU), University of Agriculture Faisalabad and University of Lahore shared the 701–800 band.

A group of Pakistani universities was placed in the 801–1000 band, including Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Air University, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, Gomal University, Government College University Faisalabad, Government College University Lahore, International Islamic University Islamabad, Iqra University, Islamia University of Bahawalpur, University of the Punjab, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences Lahore, University of Central Punjab, University of Engineering and Technology Taxila, University of Gujrat, University of Malakand and University of Management and Technology.

The 1001–1200 band included Capital University of Science and Technology, Hazara University Mansehra, Islamia College Peshawar, Khwaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Riphah International University, Sukkur IBA University, University of Haripur, Women University Multan, University of Okara, University of Peshawar, University of Swabi and Bahria University.

Kohat University of Science and Technology, University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, University of Education Lahore, University of Engineering and Technology Lahore, University of Sargodha and University of Swat were placed in the 1201–1400 band.

The 1401–1600 band comprised Institute of Space Technology, Lahore College for Women University, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology Jamshoro, MNS University of Agriculture Multan and Superior University. Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS), Dow University of Health Sciences, Mirpur University of Science and Technology, National Textile University and University of Karachi were placed in the 1601–1800 band. Khyber Medical University and NED University of Engineering and Technology were placed in the 1801–2000 band, while National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) was placed in the 2001+ band.

THE’s Pakistan listing confirms Quaid-i-Azam University as the highest-ranked Pakistani institution in the 2027 rankings, followed by NUST, COMSATS University Islamabad and BZU.

The 2027 rankings cover 2,297 institutions from 118 countries and territories, while the underlying table contains 3,146 institutions, including universities and other entries represented in the wider dataset. THE said the 2027 edition was its most inclusive to date and introduced more granular ranking bands.

THE assesses research-intensive universities across their core missions of teaching, research, knowledge transfer and international outlook, using 17 performance indicators. Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Prof Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar told Dawn that 48 universities were ranked in 2026 but the number increased during 2027. He said that it was a good sign for higher education that Pakistani universities were ranked globally and that he would congratulate the vice chancellors, faculty and alumni of these universities.

Mr Akhtar said the universities should focus on improving its research quality to further improve its rankings and currently development projects were being carried out in public sector universities to improve its infrastructure and quality of education.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2026