In a startling revelation, Pakistan’s Ministry of Education (MoFEPT) has acknowledged the existence of 145 illegal universities and colleges operating across the country, according to a report by ARY News. The confirmation follows the release of a detailed report by the Higher Education Commission (HEC), which was recently presented in the National Assembly. The report uncovers the widespread presence of unaccredited academic institutions that are openly disregarding educational regulations.
Punjab leads with the highest number of these illegal entities, totaling 94. Sindh comes next with 34, followed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 11. Meanwhile, Azad Kashmir and Islamabad each have two institutions operating without official sanction. These establishments fail to meet the HEC’s accreditation requirements, raising serious concerns about the legitimacy of the degrees they issue and the future prospects of their graduates.
In response to the situation, the HEC has taken measures including the issuance of warning notices, imposing bans on admissions, and initiating steps to close down these unauthorized institutions. A comprehensive list of blacklisted universities and colleges has been made publicly accessible through the HEC’s official website.
Authorities are cautioning students and parents to exercise vigilance and verify the accreditation status of educational institutions before seeking admission. They stress that degrees obtained from these illegal entities will not be recognized, potentially derailing academic and professional aspirations.