KARACHI: The Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan has imposed an immediate ban on the establishment and operation of additional sub-campuses by universities across the country, including Sindh.
According to a formal notification issued on April 15, 2026, the ban specifically targets the creation of university sub-campuses at the Tehsil level. The Chairman of HEC, Prof. Dr. Niaz Ahmed, has communicated this directive to the Vice-Chancellors and Rectors of all public sector universities through an official letter.
Reasons for the Ban
The HEC stated that this decision follows a detailed evaluation of the academic and administrative capacities of existing sub-campuses. The commission’s findings revealed several critical issues including structural weaknesses that make Tehsil-level campuses academically unsustainable. These campuses face significant hurdles in hiring and retaining PhD-qualified faculty, alongside a severe deficiency in essential laboratories, technical equipment, and residential infrastructure. Furthermore, low student enrollment and the limited utility of degree programs have further necessitated this restriction.
Strict Regulatory Compliance
The HEC has explicitly warned that it will not issue NOCs, approvals, or accreditations for any such campuses. All pending applications or documents related to Tehsil-level sub-campuses are now considered suspended. Institutions are strictly barred from advertising, admitting students, hiring faculty, or acquiring land for new sub-campuses. Any notification or decision made by a university’s Syndicate or Senate regarding new campuses without prior HEC approval will be considered void and legally ineffective for regulatory purposes.
“Any university attempting to bypass these regulations will face strict disciplinary action, including the suspension of existing approvals and non-recognition of their degree programs,” the HEC letter warned.
The move is seen as a major step toward consolidating the quality of higher education in Pakistan, ensuring that resources are focused on strengthening existing institutions rather than expanding into unsustainable satellite locations.
