The government has decided to utilize £190 million (Rs54 billion) recovered from the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) to establish a public-sector university and schools, marking a significant development in Pakistan’s education sector. These funds played a crucial role in the conviction of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Investment in Emerging Technologies Education
The funds will be directed towards the establishment of the Daanish University of Emerging Technologies in Islamabad and Daanish Schools in underprivileged and remote areas. This initiative aims to provide advanced education opportunities, particularly in modern technological fields.
Previously, the Imran Khan-led government had adjusted these funds against private liabilities, a decision that resulted in his 14-year sentence in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
Approval from Supreme Court
According to government sources, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the plan, and the Supreme Court of Pakistan—which holds custodianship over these funds—has also endorsed its use for educational purposes.
The Daanish Schools Initiative, originally launched in 2010 by Shehbaz Sharif in Punjab, provides quality education, boarding facilities, and modern learning opportunities to children from low-income families. Following the 18th Constitutional Amendment, education became a provincial matter, yet the federal government has opted to expand these schools into marginalized regions.
Eligibility Criteria for Daanish Schools
Admissions to these schools are reserved for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Eligible candidates include orphans and children from families registered under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP). The selection process ensures equal representation for boys and girls, provided they meet the admission criteria.
University & Schools Development Plan
Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, who confirmed the development, stated that the funds will be utilized to create a state-of-the-art research university with an endowment for self-sustainability, while the remaining amount will support the construction of Daanish Schools in backward areas.
Committee for Oversight & Implementation
The Prime Minister has established a 10-member expert committee, led by Ahsan Iqbal, to finalize the list of schools and academic programs in emerging technologies.
A separate 11-member steering committee, chaired by Shehbaz Sharif, will oversee the project’s progress. This committee includes:
- Minister for Planning
- Minister for Economic Affairs
- Minister for Law
- Minister for Federal Education
- Chairman Higher Education Commission (HEC)
- Secretary Information Technology
- Secretary Finance
- Secretary Education
- Secretary Planning
- Chairman Capital Development Authority (CDA)
This committee will define the university’s vision and objectives, supervise infrastructure development, and approve governance and legislative models. The university’s construction is expected to be completed within 18 months.
Special Mechanism for Fund Utilization
To ensure the efficient and transparent use of funds, a special purpose vehicle (SPV) will be established, preventing the funds from lapsing at the end of the fiscal year. An independent oversight body will be set up to monitor expenditures and implementation.
The university will operate as a Trust with full operational independence, and a 20-bed hospital will be included as part of the Daanish University complex.
Furthermore, the Planning Ministry has been instructed to ensure timely approvals for the Daanish Schools’ project plans (PC-Is).
Collaboration with Global Institutions
The expert committee, comprising leading economists and educationists, will determine academic programs, research priorities, and collaborations with international institutions to facilitate student exchange programs and joint research ventures.
This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to investing in education and technological advancements for Pakistan’s future generations.
