Islamabad, December 31(Kamran Raja): The seventh meeting of the Task Force constituted to review the pay scale system for recruitment in higher educational institutions was held today under the chairmanship of Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal. Addressing the meeting, Professor Ahsan Iqbal stated that salaries of teachers recruited under the Tenure Track System (TTS) would be made market-competitive to ensure the retention of competent and talented faculty in higher education institutions. He emphasized that attracting and retaining quality human capital is essential for improving academic standards across the country.
The Minister noted that during the tenures of Pakistan Muslim League (N) governments, substantial financial resources were allocated to the Higher Education Commission (HEC). However, he stressed that provincial governments must also assume greater responsibility in strengthening the higher education sector. Professor Ahsan Iqbal directed the formulation of an effective strategy to introduce performance-based incentives for capable and talented teachers, adding that concrete steps are being taken to retain high-performing faculty members in educational institutions. Highlighting the critical role of faculty, he stated that the quality of universities is directly linked to the quality of teachers, and emphasized that higher education institutions must play an active role in addressing Pakistan’s economic challenges. He further informed that the promotion system is being fully restructured on a competitive basis.
The Minister expressed concern that Pakistan’s current higher education enrollment rate is below 13 percent and underscored the need to increase it at least threefold to meet national development goals. Referring to international collaboration, Professor Ahsan Iqbal said that the establishment of the US-Pakistan and UK Knowledge Corridors aims to improve the quality of human resources. He added that, in collaboration with China and other global partners, arrangements are underway to develop a highly skilled workforce. He further remarked that the education sector has emerged as a vital element of soft power, and efforts are being made to attract international students to Pakistani universities.
Professor Ahsan Iqbal concluded by announcing that from 2026 onwards, a formal system of performance audits and ranking of universities will be launched to enhance the overall quality and competitiveness of higher education in Pakistan.