In recent years, Pakistan’s higher education sector has plunged into a deepening crisis. The relentless rise in university tuition fees has placed a severe financial burden on students and their families, turning the dream of higher education into a distant reality for many.

 

This surge in fees has sparked widespread concern and public outrage, compelling the government to step in. The most dramatic increases have been observed in medical and dental colleges.

 

For example, Karachi Medical and Dental College (KMDC) implemented an extraordinary hike in December 2023, raising the tuition fee for open merit seats from Rs 50,000 to Rs 117,600 — an increase of over 150%. The admission fee was also raised from Rs 20,000 to Rs 50,000. Furthermore, new charges such as development fees were introduced, adding to the already mounting financial pressure on students.

 

Similarly, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan (AWKUM) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa announced significant tuition hikes in November 2023. The per-semester fee for BS programs in disciplines like English, Psychology, Zoology, and Banking was increased from Rs 37,000 to Rs 65,000. The LLM fee jumped from Rs 54,480 to Rs 90,000, and the PhD fee from Rs 69,000 to Rs 100,000. Hostel fees were also raised to Rs 50,000, exacerbating the financial strain on students.

 

In response to the public outcry over skyrocketing tuition fees, the government has begun taking steps to regulate and cap costs. A significant development occurred in February 2025 when a special committee comprising officials from the Federal Ministry of Health and the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) proposed to cap annual fees.

 

While such initiatives have sparked some hope, there remains a strong demand for greater transparency, regulation, and robust policy frameworks in universities across the country. Without timely reforms and strict oversight, the dream of higher education for thousands of Pakistani youth may continue to fade.