No More Tehsil Campuses! HEC Announces Major University Policy Change

Higher Education Commission Pakistan (HEC) has rolled out a strict nationwide directive prohibiting all public sector universities and degree-awarding institutions from setting up or continuing sub-campuses at the tehsil level across Pakistan. The decision, effective immediately, has been formally communicated to university leadership, including vice chancellors and institutional heads. According to the commission’s assessment, many of these smaller campuses struggle to meet academic standards due to limited infrastructure, shortage of qualified PhD faculty, and declining student enrollment. Concerns were also raised about weak administrative oversight and the growing risk of academic isolation, which could negatively impact the credibility of higher education in the country. Under the new policy, institutions are not only barred from launching new sub-campuses but also restricted from advertising, admitting students, or proceeding with any development plans related to such setups. The HEC has further clarified that degrees from unapproved campuses will not be recognized or attested. All ongoing proposals and activities have been frozen, and strict accountability measures have been introduced for non-compliance, reinforcing the commission’s commitment to improving quality, governance, and global competitiveness in Pakistan’s education sector.