Federal Grants Cross Rs16.55 Billion for 4 Crisis Hit Universities in 3 Years
Federal Urdu University Receives Rs3.21 Billion Despite Continuing Financial Crisis
Islamabad: Federal Urdu University of Arts, Sciences and Technology received Rs3.21 billion in government grants during the last three years despite continuing financial stress, while other federally chartered universities facing severe fiscal pressure also received billions in recurring, supplementary and tenure track funds. The disclosure, made in a Senate question answer session, has raised fresh questions over whether repeated grant injections are solving university financial crises or only keeping struggling institutions temporarily afloat.
According to the written reply submitted by Federal Education Minister Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Federal Urdu University received a total grant of Rs3,211.45 million during the last three years. The university was given Rs993.689 million in 2023-24, Rs1,105.819 million in 2024-25 and Rs1,111.942 million in 2025-26.
The figures show that Federal Urdu University’s annual support has increased each year, yet the institution remains among federally chartered universities facing persistent and severe financial constraints. This has brought renewed attention to the financial governance, internal revenue generation, administrative spending and long-term sustainability of public universities.
The detailed breakup shows that Federal Urdu University received Rs896.018 million as an annual recurring grant and Rs97.671 million as an additional or supplementary grant in 2023-24. In 2024-25, it received Rs940.819 million as an annual recurring grant and Rs165 million as an additional grant. In 2025-26, its annual recurring grant rose to Rs1,081.942 million, while an additional Rs30 million was also provided.
Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad also received major financial support, with total grants of Rs1,745.723 million in 2023-24, Rs1,645.455 million in 2024-25 and Rs1,636.655 million in 2025-26. The funding included annual recurring grants, supplementary grants and tenure-track funds.
International Islamic University Islamabad received the highest support among the listed institutions, with Rs2,013.769 million in 2023-24, Rs2,164.822 million in 2024-25 and Rs2,347.407 million in 2025-26. Its annual recurring grant increased from Rs1,902.078 million to Rs2,296.759 million over the three-year period.
Karakoram International University Gilgit received Rs470.926 million in 2023-24, Rs488.426 million in 2024-25 and Rs504.793 million in 2025-26. The figures show gradual increases in recurring support, while additional grants and tenure-track funds were also provided.
The data indicates that several federal universities are relying heavily on recurring public grants to manage salaries, operations and academic commitments. However, the continued identification of these institutions as financially stressed raises questions about whether existing funding is matched with reforms in spending controls, governance, revenue generation and financial planning.
The issue was raised by Senator Syed Masroor Ahsan, who sought details of financial grants extended to Federal Urdu University and other universities facing financial crisis during the last three years. The government’s reply confirms that billions of rupees have been provided, but the larger question remains whether these universities have a sustainable recovery plan or will continue requiring repeated public support.
Read in Urdu: چار جامعات کو تین برس میں 16.55 ارب روپے سے زائد وفاقی گرانٹس جاری
Copied from: Federal universities receive Rs16.5bn grants amid financial crisis
