Education Minister
Pakistan’s Federal Education Minister, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, has sounded the alarm over the dire consequences of the Special Investment Facilitation Council’s (SIFC) decision to slash state funding to public universities by Rs24 billion.
In a National Assembly session on Monday, Siddiqui responded to queries regarding the stagnant budget for public sector universities, revealing that since 2018, funds allocated by the federal government have remained at Rs65 billion, despite a significant rise in the financial requirements of universities.
According to Siddiqui, the financial needs of universities have surged from 21% in 2018-19 to 45% in 2023-24, while grants have stagnated.
He emphasized that the SIFC’s decision exacerbates the financial strain already faced by cash-strapped universities, posing a severe threat to the survival of public sector higher education institutions.
Siddiqui appealed to the National Assembly to support his plea for the withdrawal of SIFC’s order and advocated for an increase in federal aid to public universities, citing it as crucial for the welfare of the younger population and the socio-economic development of the nation.
He highlighted that the annual recurring demand for the financial year 2024-25 for public sector universities has been submitted to the federal government, requesting an outlay of Rs125 billion.
Contrary to Siddiqui’s assertions, Jameel Qureshi, the secretary of SIFC, denied any decision regarding budget reduction by the investment body last year.
Qureshi clarified that SIFC is not involved in educational budgets and refuted claims of drafting a new education policy.
He emphasized SIFC’s focus on technical education to enhance skilled labor, aiming to boost remittances and attract manufacturing industries to Pakistan.
The conflicting narratives between Siddiqui and Qureshi underscore the urgency for transparent communication and collaborative efforts to address the funding crisis facing higher education in Pakistan.
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