The Academic Staff Association (ASA), University of the Punjab, has expressed grave concern over the deteriorating financial condition of the University.
The ASA stated that the budget presented before the Punjab University Syndicate at its meeting held on 9 July 2026 carried, for the first time in the University's history, a record deficit of PKR 3.68 billion. Regrettably, the University administration failed to propose any meaningful strategy or corrective measures to address the causes of this unprecedented deficit or to improve the University's financial management. Furthermore, the budget did not contain any significant initiatives aimed at the welfare and development of the University's faculty members, employees, or students.
The ASA also expressed deep concern that, during the last fourteen months, approximately PKR 4.88 billion of the University's cash reserves have been utilized. In addition, nearly PKR 1 billion, generated through the University's self-supporting academic programmes under the One Account Policy, has also been spent. According to the Association, these developments have pushed the University into the most critical financial position in its history, warranting immediate corrective action.
The Association pointed out that, for the first time, the Self-Supporting Budget for the financial year 2025–26 closed with an estimated deficit of PKR 350 million. According to the ASA, this financial crisis is primarily attributable to unbalanced administrative policies, the failure to manage the University's finances on professional lines, the transfer of the administration of self-supporting programmes from academic departments to central administrative offices, and the resulting erosion of departmental autonomy, ownership, and accountability. Consequently, student admissions have declined significantly, projected revenues have not been realized, while expenditures have continued to increase.
The Academic Staff Association called upon the Government of Punjab and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) to undertake an immediate, independent, and comprehensive review of the University's financial and administrative policies. The Association further urged that financial management be placed on a professional and transparent footing and that academic departments be restored their meaningful administrative role and authority, so that the University can be protected from further financial deterioration and its academic excellence, institutional prestige, and long-term sustainability can be preserved.
