PESHAWAR – The University of Peshawar (UoP) has announced the suspension of academic activities and the closure of administrative offices starting this week due to a severe financial crisis.
The decision reflects broader fiscal instability affecting public universities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. UoP officials stated that the institution lacks funds to sustain basic operations. “Without financial support, we have no choice but to suspend all academic engagements,” a senior university official confirmed.
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The administration has forwarded recommendations to the provincial government to either shut down smaller campuses or merge them with other institutions. These proposals aim to reduce overheads and ensure survival of core educational services.
The provincial government has also sought detailed records of hiring practices during previous caretaker and elected governments. The move is intended to identify potential irregularities and assess the viability of existing payrolls.
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In response, discussions are ongoing to reform pension structures in line with federal models. Reforms may include offering better post-retirement benefits while restructuring funding mechanisms to sustain financial health.
Staff unions have expressed concern over possible layoffs and are demanding transparency in how budget shortfalls are managed. Government officials say a comprehensive financial policy for higher education institutions is in the works and will be announced shortly.
