Pakistan has reached a historic milestone in the field of higher education, with a record 47 universities securing spots in the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia University Rankings 2025. This marks the country’s highest-ever representation in the prestigious rankings, showcasing significant progress in its academic sector both regionally and globally.
The THE Asia University Rankings 2025 evaluated over 850 universities across 36 countries in Asia, using 18 performance indicators that assess teaching quality, research impact, industry partnerships, and international outlook. Leading Pakistan’s representation is Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad, which ranked highest nationally. It is followed by the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) and COMSATS University Islamabad.
Quaid-i-Azam University was ranked 137th in Asia, NUST placed 145th, and COMSATS came in at 187th. Other notable Pakistani institutions in the 201–250 band include Government College University Faisalabad, Sukkur IBA University, and the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Taxila. The 251–300 bracket features Air University, Capital University of Science and Technology (CUST), Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), and the University of the Punjab.
This year’s performance places Pakistan as the sixth most-represented country in Asia, on par with Taiwan and ranked 14th globally. The number of Pakistani universities featured in the rankings rose by 17.5 percent from last year’s 40, continuing a steady rise from 29 institutions in 2023, 21 in 2022, and just 16 in 2021.
Education analysts credit this achievement to Pakistan’s increasing focus on research, innovation, and academic development. The expanding international recognition of its universities signals a promising future for the country’s education sector and knowledge economy. With more institutions gaining visibility on the global stage, students and researchers in Pakistan now have access to a broader range of academic and professional opportunities.