Sindh HEC Chief Urges Universities to Use Funds Prudently -

PAKISTAN

Audit Reveals Varsity with Rs3 Billion Surplus Still Sought Grant

Chairman of the Sindh Higher Education Commission (SHEC), Prof. Dr. Tariq Rafi, has emphasized that public sector universities in Sindh receive more government funding than those in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, urging university administrations to be rational and transparent in their financial demands.

Speaking as the chief guest at a farewell and certificate-awarding ceremony at NIPA, where vice chancellors from public and private universities completed a five-day leadership training program, Dr. Rafi praised the Sindh Government’s continued support for higher education.

“The Sindh Government is giving you money generously, and the credit goes to the Chief Minister,” he noted, adding that 30 universities in Sindh collectively received Rs50 billion in the current budget, a substantial allocation for the sector.

However, the SHEC chairman also highlighted concerns about financial management and accountability within some universities. He revealed that an audit initiated on the directives of the Chief Minister’s Secretariat uncovered a startling case — a university that had Rs3 billion in its account still sought an additional grant of Rs1 billion, warning the government that it would otherwise be “unable to pay staff salaries.”

Sources confirmed to this publication that the university in question was the University of Karachi (KU), which despite having substantial surplus funds, approached the provincial government for additional financial assistance.

Dr. Rafi underscored that such cases reflect the need for better fiscal planning and governance in higher education institutions.

He further said that SHEC is actively working to build management capacity across universities through structured training programs. The five-day course, he added, aimed to strengthen vice chancellors’ expertise in strategic planning, administration, digital transformation, financial management, procurement, and human resources development.

“University leaders need proper training to manage complex institutions effectively. SHEC is always here to support you,” he said, announcing that the next Vice Chancellors’ training session will be held in March 2026 at NIPA Karachi.

The event concluded with the distribution of certificates to participating vice chancellors, reaffirming SHEC’s commitment to improving governance and accountability standards across Sindh’s higher education sector. – ER News Desk

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