ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister (DPM/FM) Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting on establishing new federal and provincial universities and reviewing draft bills for university charters.
It was noted that the 2002 criteria for establishing universities are outdated and no longer aligned with current academic, research, and market needs.
The DPM/FM stressed the need to modernise the framework to ensure new institutions meet international standards of quality education and research excellence.
It was decided the HEC will revise the criteria for establishing universities by 1st June 2026, and all pending cases will be evaluated under the updated framework once finalised.
The discussion also covered university performance, disciplines, global rankings, and the importance of prioritising fields in demand internationally.
Dar emphasised that higher education must deliver strong outcomes in employability, innovation, and research impact, equipping graduates for both domestic and global opportunities.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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