48 Pakistani Universities Featured in Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025

In the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, 48 universities from Pakistan have earned a place, signaling notable advancement in the country’s academic and research profile on the global front. This growing presence highlights improvements in educational quality, research output, and institutional collaboration across Pakistan’s higher education sector.

Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad has once again emerged as the top-ranking institution from Pakistan, securing a place within the 401–500 band internationally. Bahauddin Zakariya University in Multan has shown exceptional progress by advancing nearly 400 positions, now placed within the 601–800 range. This leap reflects ongoing development in research capabilities and academic performance.

Other Pakistani universities have also demonstrated solid progress. Institutions including Air University, COMSATS University Islamabad, Government College University Faisalabad, National University of Sciences and Technology, Sukkur IBA University, University of Lahore, and the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences are all positioned in the 601–800 band, indicating a broader strengthening of the country’s academic foundation.

In the 801–1000 range, universities such as Lahore University of Management Sciences, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, Government College University Lahore, International Islamic University Islamabad, and University of Management and Technology continue to represent Pakistan with competitive performance. Bahria University, Hazara University, and University of Engineering and Technology Peshawar are included in the 1001–1200 band, while eight other institutions are listed between 1201 and 1500. An additional six universities appear in the 1501+ category, reflecting a growing spectrum of Pakistani institutions entering the global rankings landscape.

Globally, the University of Oxford maintains its leading position for the tenth year in a row, with Harvard University and Princeton University closely following. Regional competitors such as China and India are also seeing continued upward momentum in global rankings, driven by investment in higher education and research infrastructure.

The Vice Chancellor of Bahauddin Zakariya University, Dr. Zubair Iqbal, credits the institution’s improved standing to a strategic focus on high-quality research, innovation, and faculty dedication. This reflects a broader shift among Pakistani universities toward performance-driven growth and international visibility.

The overall showing of Pakistani institutions in the 2026 rankings underscores a national trajectory toward enhanced global relevance in higher education. This momentum suggests a continued rise in the quality of academic programs, research standards, and global engagement in the years ahead.