PTI’s apathy drives University of Peshawar into financial crisis: Education, research studies severely affected
PESHAWAR (APP): Once a symbol of intellectual brilliance and cultural pride, the University of Peshawar — a flagship institution of higher education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — is now grappling with a deepening crisis of financial collapse, and political interference, largely attributed to the prolonged apathy of the PTI-led provincial government.
Founded in 1949 at the behest of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and inspired by the legacy of Islamia College Peshawar, the university had long been a beacon of academic excellence.
For decades, it produced generations of distinguished professionals from scientists and judges to poets, policy makers, and educationists not just for the province but for the entire country.
“But in 2025, the picture is bleak. The University is currently facing one of the worst financial crises in its history. At the heart of this decline is a failure to pay timely pensions to retired faculty members — individuals who dedicated their lives to educating the nation,” said Dr Zilakat Malik, former Chairman Economics Department at University of Peshawar while talking to APP.
He said many of these retired academicians, having studied at some of the world’s most prestigious institutions, chose to return and serve Pakistan instead of pursuing lucrative careers abroad. Now in their old age and battling health issues, they are forced to submit repeated appeals just to receive their rightful pensions.
“For many, the pension is their only source of livelihood. The delay is not just an administrative or financial lapse; it is a stark denial of dignity to some of the country’s most respected scholars.”
The financial strain extends to current faculty and staff, who are suffering from delayed or inconsistent salary disbursements. This uncertainty has severely disrupted the university’s academic calendar, teaching quality, and research output.
Financial insecurity among educators has translated into a demoralized academic environment — one that is ill-equipped to inspire or support students.
“Perhaps most alarming is the erosion of institutional autonomy. Once governed by academic boards and overseen by the provincial governor as chancellor, the university’s administrative authority has now been centralized under the Chief Minister and cabinet — a move seen as a direct blow to academic freedom and institutional integrity” said Shahibzada Hamza Khan, PMLN Nowshera President.
He claimed that this politicization has enabled unchecked interference in academic and administrative matters, sidelining merit and bypassing consultation with experts. As a result, university governance has become increasingly arbitrary and opaque.
The decline of higher studies and research at University of Peshawar is not an isolated case. Across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, several other universities face closure or severe dysfunction due to similar patterns of financial crisis, maladministration and political overreach.
Hamza said that despite being in power for over a decade, the PTI government has failed to deliver in critical sectors like higher education, health, and public services.
He said multiple scandals of financial irregularities and corruption have surfaced during PTI Govt tenure, yet accountability remains absent.
Meanwhile, KP Govt resources continue to be funneled into political rallies and media campaigns rather than critical public and universities need.
He claimed that the deterioration of KP’s premier academic institution reflects a broader societal crisis — one where public welfare is sacrificed for political survival.
This trend is especially catastrophic for KP already struggling with poverty, insecurity, unemployment and educational backwardness.
“Silence is no longer an option. The media, civil society, judiciary, students, and educators must treat this financial and higher education crisis with the urgency it demands. Education is not just a sector; it is the foundation of a nation’s future. Allowing its decay is not just a policy failure — it is a national tragedy.”
Amid the gloom, there is cautious optimism. The recent appointment of Professor Dr. Johar Ali as Vice Chancellor UoP brings with it hope for a speedy education reform and financial discipline.
A seasoned academic with vadt administrative experience, Dr. Johar Ali may be capable of reversing the decline — but only if he is given the autonomy, powers and institutional support needed to lead meaningful change quickly.
Saving the University of Peshawar is more than a matter of institutional preservation — it is a moral, educational, and national imperative. The stakes are nothing less than the intellectual and societal future of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and by extension, Pakistan.
