Only Two Pakistani University Make It to Global Top 500 Despite Ranking Gains
By Nadeem Tanoli
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s presence in international university rankings has expanded sharply in recent years, but only two universities from the country have managed to secure positions among the world’s top 500 institutions, as funding constraints, weak international linkages and limited industry collaboration continue to affect the higher education sector.
The details were shared by Higher Education Commission (HEC) Chairman Dr Niaz Ahmad Akhtar during a briefing to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Federal Education and Professional Training on November 3, 2026.
According to the briefing, Pakistani universities have recorded a significant increase in their representation in international rankings. However, Dr Akhtar acknowledged that the sector still faces major obstacles, including financial shortages, limited global recognition and difficulties in building cooperation with foreign institutions.
The HEC informed the committee that the number of Pakistani universities included in the QS Asia University Rankings rose from 29 in 2020 to 83 in 2026. Similarly, Pakistan’s representation in the Times Higher Education Asia Rankings increased from 14 universities in 2020 to 48 in 2026.
In global rankings, Pakistani universities listed in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings increased from 14 in 2020 to 56 in 2027. The number of Pakistani institutions appearing in the QS World University Rankings also went up from seven in 2020 to 18 in 2027.
Despite the improvement in numbers, only two Pakistani universities were placed among the world’s top 500 in the QS World University Rankings 2027. Twelve Pakistani universities made it to the top 1,000 in the same rankings. In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, 22 Pakistani universities were included among the top 1,000.
The figures have raised questions over whether the increase in the number of ranked universities is leading to meaningful improvement in teaching standards, research quality and employment opportunities for graduates.
Dr Akhtar told the committee that international rankings matter because they reflect a university’s reputation, research performance, graduate employability and links with institutions across the world. He, however, said that improving ranking positions should not be treated as the sole objective. The real focus, he added, should be on sustainable improvement in academic quality, institutional performance and international competitiveness.
The HEC chairman identified budgetary and financial constraints as a key challenge for universities. He also pointed towards hurdles related to international relations, limited recognition of Pakistani institutions abroad and weak university-industry cooperation.
He said global ranking systems assess universities in several areas, including research, employment outcomes, learning quality, international engagement and sustainability. Pakistan, he said, has strong human resources, but limited finances restrict universities from improving performance in these areas.
To deal with the issue, the HEC has established a committee on international university rankings. The committee has been tasked with preparing a coordinated national plan, helping universities understand ranking methodologies and identifying areas where improvement is required.
Dr Akhtar also informed the parliamentary panel that around 20 task forces had been constituted to examine key areas of higher education and propose reforms.
The commission is reviewing and developing policies related to undergraduate education, transnational education, liberal arts, dual and joint degree programmes, computing education, curriculum reforms and the inclusion of artificial intelligence in academic programmes.
Scholarships and international academic cooperation were also discussed during the briefing. The HEC highlighted initiatives such as the Pak-US Knowledge Corridor, Fulbright and DAAD scholarships, Quaid-i-Azam Memorial Scholarships and the Stipendium Hungaricum Programme.
The commission also mentioned Allama Iqbal Scholarships for international students, academic partnerships with Chinese universities and technology companies, and the Global Scholar Network Portal. The portal is aimed at linking Pakistani scholars working abroad with universities, faculty members and researchers in Pakistan.
For faculty development, the HEC said it had started free artificial intelligence training for teaching and administrative staff in public and private universities.
The chairman also briefed the committee on the launch of an online and paperless degree attestation system developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Inter Boards Coordination Commission.
