MUZAFFARABAD: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has yet to respond to an urgent SOS from the region’s six public-sector universities which are on the brink of collapse due to a severe financial crisis.

Last month, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan Chairman, Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, informed AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq that due to constraints, the HEC could only allocate Rs1.619 billion for AJK’s public sector universities, far less than the previously pledged Rs3.508 billion. He urged the PM AJK to bridge the gap by increasing the allocation for the higher education sector in the upcoming state budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 to ensure these institutions could function effectively.

AJK President Barrister Sultan Mahmood, also the Chancellor of the public sector universities raised the issue with the PM and cautioned that inaction could result in the unemployment of approximately 3,500 faculty and non-faculty staff and jeopardise the future of an estimated 30,000 students.

“Following the 18th Amendment in Pakistan, the subject of higher education has been devolved to the provinces. It is requested that AJK universities be given a matching grant to overcome their fiscal challenges, as is done in the provinces. This will help them continue their educational activities for the welfare of the public at large,” Mahmood wrote.

The management of the universities lament that the AJK government has shown a nonchalant attitude towards the issue despite the serious repercussions for the state’s higher education sector. They cite the stagnation of annual recurring grants from the HEC over the past five years, substantial annual increases in employee pay and allowances (135pc between 2017-18 and 2023-24) coupled with significant annual pension increases (73pc between 2017-18 and 2023-24) as major causes for the financial quagmire. Additionally, the universities have been unable to raise student fees due to the limited affordability of parents.

In contrast, the provincial governments of Sindh and Balochistan allocated Rs35 billion and Rs5 billion, respectively for their public universities in 2024-25. “The lack of similar support in AJK highlights a critical gap that must be addressed to ensure the sustainability and competitiveness of its higher educational institutions,” said one official.

Moreover, financial data from state universities revealed substantial expenditures on salaries and pensions. Last year, the Muzaffarabad-based University of AJK spent Rs300 million, the Mirpur University of Science and Technology spent Rs300 million, the University of Kotli spent Rs130 million, the University of Poonch spent Rs180 million, and the Women University Bagh spent Rs80 million on salaries and pensions.

This year, these universities face additional payment obligations amounting to Rs250 million, Rs100 million, Rs96 million, Rs130 million, and Rs50 million, respectively. During the recent budget session of the AJK Assembly, a delegation of faculty from the six public sector universities met with PM Haq to discuss the severe financial problems and looming crisis. Their efforts are yet to yield any positive response from the government.

Sources warn that without immediate financial intervention by the AJK government, the universities will continue to face existential threats. Officials of the public sector universities urged the AJK government to reassess its budget and promptly allocate Rs3 billion to safeguard these vital institutions and support long-term regional and national growth through education and innovation.They also called upon the HEC to increase its stagnant budget for their institutions.

Published in Dawn, July 4th, 2024