THE field of research in Pakistan faces many challenges, and the situation is much worse than just students not being able to think critically. The issue also involves problems within educational institutions and, even more concerning, the rise of a ‘research mafia’ that is corrupting the academic system. Imagine a bright, hardworking student putting in months or even years of effort into a meaningful research project, only to see someone, who paid for authorship, receive the same or even more recognition. This disillusion-ment leads talented individuals to either leave the country or abandon their passion altogether.

The loss of such potential is not just a personal tragedy but also a national one. When research becomes just another business transaction, it loses its transfor-

mative power. Research should be about seeking the truth, exploring new ideas, and pushing the boundaries of what we know. But in Pakistan, it is increasingly becoming a numbers game, where the quantity of publications outweighs the quality.

In Pakistan, research usually starts at the graduate and postgraduate levels, which means students are not trained in critical thinking or analysis from an early stage. This weak foundation makes it hard for students to understand how to carry out proper research when they reach the level of higher education.

Educational institutions, both public and private, do little to help students learn the skills needed for good research. Most universities in Pakistan have very few research centres, and the ones that exist are poorly equipped. This lack of resources results in low-quality research. Many institutions lack the funding and infrastructure to support students and professors in producing high-quality academic work. Additionally, teachers often fail to guide students properly.

The most troubling issue, however, is the corruption within the research and publishing field in Pakistan. This ‘research mafia’ operates by offering positions as authors in research papers in exchange for money. Nowadays, paid advertisements on social media platforms often encourage students to become co-authors simply by paying a hefty amount.

These amounts can range from thous-ands of rupees to even a hundred thousand, allowing people to buy their way into research work without actually contributing. This practice has corrupted the entire academic field, as it promotes a system where publications are not based on merit or real academic input. This has serious consequences for the quality of research in Pakistan. It encourages students to take shortcuts, and diminishes the value of genuine academic work. Those who buy their way into research positions gain recognition without any real contribution to knowledge.

The Higher Education Commission (HEC) needs to take immediate action to create policies that will root out this mafia. There should be strict checks on the authenticity of research papers, and the process of publication should be monitored closely. Without proper intervention, the standard of research in Pakistan will continue to decline, and students will keep losing trust in the academic system.

Mahnoor Nosherwan
Lahore

Published in Dawn, October 28th, 2024