HEC budget cut: Is education even a priority?

The recent slashing of the Higher Education Commission's (HEC) budget by the federal government has left Pakistan’s higher education sector in disarray. Picture this: a government that expects its youth to lead the nation into a prosperous future, yet cuts the very budget that supports their education. As of the new fiscal year, the recurrent budget for HEC has been slashed from Rs65 billion to a measly Rs25 billion. If you are wondering where the remaining billions evaporated, you are not alone. The decision has sparked outrage and confusion, highlighting a stark disconnection between governmental priorities and the actual needs of the educational sector. The budget cuts are a catastrophic blow to over 160 public universities in Pakistan. These institutions had collectively requested Rs126 billion, an amount reflecting their genuine needs. The Planning Commission’s developmental budget has also been butchered from Rs59 billion to Rs21 billion. This financial strangulation has inevitably triggered emergency meetings among vice chancellors, with unanimous declarations that the budget cuts are disastrous for higher education in Pakistan. Let’s delve into why this is more than just numbers on a ledger. HEC Chairman Dr Mukhtar Ahmed has confirmed receiving the official letters from the Ministry of Finance and the Planning Commission. His reaction, understandably, was one of grave concern. The federal universities alone now have to stretch a budget that can barely keep the lights on, let alone fuel........

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