FINANCIAL crises affecting public sector universities across Pakistan are now having an impact on academic activities. For example, teachers at both campuses of the Federal Urdu University in Karachi have boycotted exams due to the ongoing financial crisis at the institution. While earlier the disbursement of pensions was an issue, now educators say they are also facing delays in receiving salaries. Fuuast is not the only university facing this predicament. Teachers and employees at Karachi University, too, have been boycotting exams and classes for around 40 days due to financial and administrative issues. Dues worth over Rs700m owed to employees have yet to be cleared. Elsewhere, Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad, and Peshawar University have been facing similar financial crises.

While the economic situation of these educational institutes reflects the overall sluggish state of the national economy, in many cases, mismanagement by the varsity leaderships is also to blame for the financial crunch. Whether it is federally run institutions such as Fuuast, or those universities that come under the provinces, the state needs to resolve the crises in a long-term manner. Particularly when it comes to pensions and salaries, payments must be disbursed without delay. It is incredibly cruel to withhold payments in such times of economic hardship. Moreover, visionary leadership is needed at public universities to help these institutions generate their own funds through different income streams. Instead of appointing loyalists to key posts, professional managers are needed in order to revive academic standards, and maintain the financial health of universities. For the vast majority of students, who cannot afford high-fee private institutions, state schools are the only pathway to higher education and upward mobility. Thus, by failing to address the financial woes of these universities, the state is denying countless students a chance at higher education — for when teachers and staffers are not paid, it is learners who ultimately suffer.

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2026