The Imperative for
a Public University in Khanewal: A Strategic Need for Equitable Higher
Education and Regional Development
By Asif Shehzad
Khanewal, Punjab –
August 2025:
With a population exceeding 3.36 million, Khanewal stands among Punjab’s
most populous and strategically located districts. Yet, it remains without a dedicated
public sector university—a glaring omission in the educational landscape of
South Punjab. In contrast, neighbouring cities like Multan, Bahawalpur,
and Vehari host multiple public universities or sub-campuses, leaving
Khanewal significantly underserved.
This article presents
a data-driven and policy-oriented case for the urgent establishment of a public
university in Khanewal. It explores seven interlinked dimensions—educational
demand, gender equity, economic burden, talent retention, local development,
regional disparity, and infrastructure readiness—that collectively justify
immediate government intervention.
1. Demographic
Pressure and Growing Educational Demand
Pakistan’s
youth-centric demographic profile presents both a challenge and an opportunity.
According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2023–24, 67% of the population
is below 30 years of age, while 26% falls within the 15–29 age bracket—the
prime age for higher education. Khanewal reflects these national dynamics, with
thousands of students completing intermediate education each year but
limited pathways for further academic progression.
In the absence of a
public university, a significant number of these students are either forced to
migrate—at great personal and financial cost—or abandon their educational
aspirations altogether. A local university would offer an affordable,
accessible, and inclusive solution, expanding the higher education pipeline
for the region.
2. Enhancing Gender
Equity and Educational Access for Women
Cultural norms, safety
concerns, and financial constraints disproportionately affect women’s access to
education in rural Pakistan. The lack of a university within Khanewal
effectively excludes many talented young women from pursuing tertiary
education. A local institution would mitigate this barrier, offering a safe,
culturally appropriate, and community-supported environment for female
students.
Despite recent
progress, gender disparities persist. Only 8.3% of Pakistani women aged 25
and above have attained tertiary education, and the youth literacy rate
among females (67.5%) lags behind that of males (81.3%) [3]. A public
university in Khanewal would contribute directly to bridging this gap,
empowering women with education and long-term economic opportunity.
3. Reducing the
Financial Burden on Families
For families in
Khanewal, sending a child to a university in another city involves expenses for
accommodation, transportation, tuition, and daily living, often
exceeding household affordability. This results in limited university
attendance, particularly among students from low- and middle-income groups.
Establishing a public
university in Khanewal would significantly reduce these costs, making higher
education more attainable. Cost-efficient, local access would promote
upward social mobility and reduce income-based educational disparities.
4. Preventing
Talent Drain and Brain Migration
Each year, Khanewal
loses many of its most promising students to larger urban centers for higher
studies. Upon graduation, many settle permanently in these cities for career
opportunities, contributing to a persistent “talent drain” from the
district.
A local university
could reverse this trend by providing relevant academic and professional
programs, retaining skilled youth within the district, and building a
pipeline of professionals—doctors, teachers, IT experts, engineers, and
entrepreneurs—who contribute to Khanewal’s own socioeconomic advancement.
5. Catalyzing Local
Economic Development
Universities act as economic
multipliers in any region. Their impact goes beyond education:
- Employment Generation: Universities create direct and indirect
jobs in academia, administration, construction, and facility management.
- Business Ecosystem Growth: Local businesses—including bookstores,
housing, transportation, food vendors, and IT services—benefit from
student and faculty demand.
- Research and Innovation: Higher education institutions attract grants,
public-private partnerships, and startup incubation, stimulating
long-term development.
A university in
Khanewal would transform the district into a center of intellectual and
economic activity, with ripple effects across surrounding tehsils.
6. Addressing
Regional Inequity in Higher Education Access
Khanewal’s continued
exclusion from Punjab’s university network highlights a troubling regional
imbalance. Neighboring districts enjoy a robust academic presence:
- Multan: Bahauddin Zakariya University, Nishtar Medical University, Women
University.
- Bahawalpur: The Islamia University of Bahawalpur.
- Vehari: University of Education Sub-Campus.
Khanewal, despite its
population and economic contributions, lacks even a sub-campus of a major
university. Establishing a full-fledged university would ensure equity in
resource allocation and contribute to the broader goal of balanced
development across South Punjab.
7. Building on
Existing Educational Infrastructure
Khanewal already
possesses a strong foundation for higher education. Institutions such as the Government
Postgraduate College Khanewal, and several degree colleges, provide
academic infrastructure and faculty that can be scaled.
Moreover, the success
of decentralized models—such as the sub-campuses of Bahauddin Zakariya
University in Vehari and Layyah—demonstrates the feasibility of establishing a
university in mid-sized cities. With modest initial investment and political
will, Khanewal can host a functional and fully accredited public university
within a few years.
Conclusion: A
Strategic Investment for a Sustainable Future
The demand for a
public university in Khanewal is more than a local appeal—it is a national
development concern rooted in demographic reality, economic logic, and
social justice.
It is imperative that
the Government of Punjab and the Higher Education Commission (HEC) recognize
this need and prioritize the establishment of a university in Khanewal
within the next planning cycle. The investment will yield long-term
dividends in human capital, gender empowerment, economic productivity, and
regional stability.
Endnotes
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS). (2023). 7th Population and Housing Census 2023: District-wise Population Summary. Khanewal District Population recorded as 3,362,635. Retrieved from:
https://pakgeography.com/pakistan-population-district-wise/-
Finance Division, Government of Pakistan. (2024). Pakistan Economic Survey 2023–24: Chapter 12 – Population, Labour Force & Employment. Retrieved from:
https://www.finance.gov.pk/survey/chapter_25/12_Population.pdf -
AIP Publishing. (2023). Contemporary Challenges to Women's Education in Pakistan. Conference Proceedings. Retrieved from:
https://pubs.aip.org/aip/acp/article-pdf/doi/10.1063/5.0175932/20248719/050029_1_5.0175932.pdf
