BAHAWALPUR: Political and social activists and representatives of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have expressed concern over the Punjab government’s decision to rename Government Sadiq College Women University (GSCWU), Bahawalpur, as Government Sadiq College for Women (GSCW), fearing that the move could undermine the status of the institution and affect the higher education prospects for women in south Punjab.
Former parliamentarian Syed Tabsih Alwari, Bahawalpur Suba Mahaz leaders Nawaz Naji and Jam Hazoor Bakhsh, Shazia Norean, Akram Ansari and social activists Sumaira Malik and Asia Kamal, among others, described the change as a downgrading of a prominent women’s higher education institution in the region.
They said they were shocked to learn that the university’s name had been changed to that of a women’s college. They feared the decision could eventually deprive thousands of its academics and employees of the rights and privileges associated with university status, despite their years of service.
The activists also apprehended that the move could diminish the institution’s role in promoting higher education.
VC rules out job cuts, setback to women education
Dawn has learnt that the Punjab Higher Education Department, through a notification, a copy of which is available with Dawn, has changed the name of GSCWU Bahawalpur to Government Sadiq College for Women. Six other universities in the province have also been renamed, while the Government Women University, Multan, has been exempted from the decision.
The Punjab government had announced the establishment of the women’s university in 2016 after closing the then Government Women Degree College, Bahawalpur, despite strong public protests.
The former college campus was converted into the university, although local residents had demanded that the institution be established on a separate and independent campus.
Following prolonged protests, the government established a [replacement] girls’ degree college at Himayatian on Hasilpur Road, near Satellite Town, by upgrading a higher secondary school.
The new college provided admission opportunities to a large number of female students and helped ease the pressure on the newly-established university for undergraduate admissions.
Local activists fear that the latest decision to revert the university to its former college identity could once again undermine the area’s higher education opportunities and affect thousands of prospective female students from Bahawalpur and other districts of south Punjab.
When contacted, Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Shazia Anjum confirmed the Punjab government’s decision. She said the government might have taken the step to restore the historical legacy of the institution, which had a history of more than 75 years.
She maintained that, apart from the change in name, no administrative or operational arrangements had been altered and all official matters would continue as before. She ruled out any reduction in the number of faculty members or employees, retrenchment, or cuts in salaries and other fringe benefits.
The VC also said her designation would remain unchanged and she would continue to serve as VC rather than being redesignated as principal.
However, she urged the Punjab government to provide a separate campus for the women’s college to accommodate the growing number of female students and meet their educational needs. She suggested that the Higher Education Department take steps to secure possession of 130 acres of land previously allotted to the university, which was currently subject to litigation, so that a new campus could be developed.
Dawn has learnt that the institution will have to incur an expenditure of several hundred thousand rupees to replace its stationery, signboards and letterheads following the change of name. The reprinting of thousands of degrees may also add to the financial burden.
The former university reportedly has thousands of degrees ready for distribution among graduates at its upcoming convocation. These degrees will now have to be reprinted with the college’s new name instead of the university’s name. The institution has planned its next convocation for December.
Meanwhile, Director Colleges Bahawalpur Division Dr Sharafat Ali confirmed that he had also received the notification regarding the change.
Avoiding criticism of the government’s decision, he said the move might have been intended to preserve the historical identity of the institution as a women’s college dating back to the period of the former Bahawalpur State.
He said the change of name would not adversely affect female education in Bahawalpur or other parts of the region and that the provincial government would continue providing development funds for the institution.
Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2026
