Unwise initiative of establishing new varsities in Swat
Editorial
The PTI government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (2018-2022) had initiated various projects of establishing new universities in district Swat, including the University of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the University of Agriculture, and the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, claiming it as a revolutionary step in enhancing access to higher education. However, it was a politically motivated move, aimed at appointing the near and dear ones and party workers in these varsities.
The harsh reality is that the cash-strapped KP government is now struggling to fund this ill-conceived initiative, making it an untenable burden on the province’s dwindling resources. The hasty decision to establish new universities was never backed by a feasibility study or a thorough assessment of the province’s financial capabilities. It was a classic case of putting the cart before the horse, with political expediency taking precedence over prudent planning.
As far as the University of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Swat is concerned, its total budget is Rs9.8bn, while Rs1.9bn has been spent till date. Surprisingly, from 2021 to current semester, around 100 students are only admitted in different courses, whereas their future is also at great risk due to the lack of vision and right direction by the varsity. Apart from this, numerous malpractices and corruption have also been reported in the project.
Similarly, the situation of the projects of the University of Agriculture and the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Swat is not much different from this.
The consequences are now manifest. The KP government is grappling with a severe financial crunch, and the proposed universities in Swat have become a white elephant. The meager resources allocated to these projects could have been better utilized to strengthen the existing educational institutions, rather than splurging on a politically motivated venture.
In light of these circumstances, it is imperative that the provincial government should take a pragmatic decision by cancelling the plan of establishing new universities in Swat. This move will not only help rationalize resources but also prevent further financial hemorrhaging.
Therefore, the KP government should prioritize its fiscal responsibility and redirect its focus towards augmenting the existing educational infrastructure, rather than pursuing a politically driven agenda that has a little chance of success, as it is high time that the government must acknowledge its mistakes and take corrective action for a bright future of the province.
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