The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has temporarily stopped admissions in computing and computer science programmes at 44 universities and higher education institutions across Pakistan. The decision comes after a large number of students from these institutions failed to achieve the required standards in the National Skill Competency Test (NSCT) 2026.
According to officials, the move aims to protect the quality of higher education and improve academic standards in computing-related disciplines. The HEC said the suspension is a corrective step and will remain in effect until further reviews are completed.
Director General Quality Assurance Nasir Shah stated that many students from the affected institutions were unable to meet the minimum competency benchmarks set by the NSCT 2026. As a result, the HEC decided to halt new admissions in their computing programmes.
The commission explained that admissions would remain suspended until institutional audits, quality assessments, and approval processes are completed. These reviews will help determine whether the universities meet the required academic standards.
The HEC is also issuing a Student Advisory for students and parents. The advisory warns prospective applicants that admissions to computing programmes at the listed institutions have been stopped until further notice. Students are encouraged to verify the latest status of any university before submitting admission applications.
The suspension affects universities across several regions of Pakistan. According to available information, seven institutions are located in Sindh, three in Balochistan, four in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, fourteen in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, two in Lahore, and four in South Punjab.
Several well-known institutions are included in the review process. These include Alhamd Islamic University, Sarhad University of Science and Information Technology, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Hazara University, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif University of Engineering and Technology Multan, Lahore Leads University, University of Swabi, Gomal University, ILMA University Karachi, University of Kotli Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Kohsar University Murree, Green International University, Preston University Islamabad, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam, University of Larkano, University of Buner, and many others.
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The HEC emphasized that the suspension is temporary and intended to improve educational quality. Universities will have the opportunity to address deficiencies identified during the review process. The commission said further decisions will be made after audits and evaluations are completed.
