Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad Seeks Government Financial Support During Crisis

Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU), Pakistan’s leading higher education institution, is facing a financial crunch. The university’s alumni are stepping up, calling on the federal government to provide an urgent bailout package.

QAU has recently made its mark in the QS World University Ranking due to its outstanding performance. The alumni believe that with financial aid to cover the annual shortfall of over 800 million rupees, the university can continue to shine locally and globally.

This call for support was made at a key meeting of the QAU Alumni Association Founders Group’s Core Committee. The meeting, led by Dr. Abdul Basit and attended by high-ranking Quaidians, pledged full cooperation to QAU in tackling this serious issue that could impact the university’s daily operations and performance.

The QAU alumni are standing by their alma mater in this tough time, as they always have. They plan to work together with all stakeholders to help save this top federal higher education institution in Pakistan. QAU’s alumni, who are contributing significantly in various sectors in Pakistan and abroad, see this as a shared duty.

The meeting revealed that since January 2023, QAU has been struggling to cover costs for teaching, lab chemicals, pensions, students’ fellowships and scholarships, and even basic office supplies. The alumni are determined that, given the Prime Minister’s recent declaration of an education emergency in the country, QAU should be given a bailout package immediately to protect the future of its over twelve thousand students.

The meeting ended with a unanimous decision to ramp up efforts and enhance existing initiatives for the benefit of Quaidians. This includes boosting the Quaidians Commoners Academy under the leadership of Khalid Masood, former Principal Secretary to the President of Pakistan, to mentor young Quaidians.