Pakistan to open its first fee-free university next month

In a bid to provide easy access to higher education in the country, Pakistan will be opening its first ever fee-free university in Kasur district, Punjab next month on August 14, Independence Day.

The university will have 600 students enrolled for three different master degrees. The university will offer pre-medical, pre-engineering and ICT courses. "We are establishing the first fee-free university in Pakistan where students will not have to pay any fee," said Dr Amjad Saqib, executive director of Akhuwat, a micro-finance firm offering interest-free loans in Pakistan, quoted Khaleej Times.

"This is some kind of long-term Qarz-e-Hasan. First you get education and pay after five, 10 or 20 years, when you are able to return it; because remember that you got education but didn't pay for it but now when you have a job you can pay so that somebody else can also benefit," he added.

"Education is ultimate solution of our problems. We can't progress and compete with international community unless we are ahead in education. But it is a pity that a boy coming from a poor family may be able to complete 10-year education but can't receive higher education. We are not doing justice with our talent," added Saqib.

Although this university will be country's first fee-free varsity, Pakistan is home to one of the world’s largest institute for higher learning - the Allama Iqbal Open University, which boosts over a million student annual enrollment .