ISLAMABAD: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has constituted a 22-member National Task Force (NTF) on national university rankings to develop the framework.
“The task force has been entrusted with reviewing and finalising the proposed national rankings framework, drawing upon internationally recognised university ranking methodologies while taking into account Pakistan’s higher education landscape,” read a press release issued by HEC.
According to the press release, the Task Force will examine ranking indicators, their relative weightages, assessment methodologies, data requirements, verification procedures and scoring mechanisms to ensure a fair, transparent and evidence-based ranking system.
Director of the Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences, Dr Ghulam Mustafa, Islamabad, has been appointed as Convenor of the Task Force, while Muhammad Ali Baig, National Coordinator for National University Rankings and Deputy Director, Higher
Education Data Repository, HEC, will serve as the Secretary.
“The Task Force brings together experts and representatives from universities and higher education regulatory bodies across the country, including Aga Khan University, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Khyber Medical University, King Edward Medical University, Lahore University of Management Sciences, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, National College of Arts, National University of Sciences & Technology, Pakistan Institute of Engineering & Applied Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, University of Balochistan, University of Engineering and Technology Lahore, University of Karachi, University of Peshawar, and University of the Punjab. It also includes representatives from the Higher Education Department, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab Higher Education Commission and Sindh Higher Education Commission, ensuring geographical, institutional and disciplinary representation,” read the press release.
It said that the development marks an important step towards introducing a structured and evidence-based national university rankings system.
Published in Dawn, November 5th, 2026
