HEC cracks down on sub-campus sprawl

In a sweeping move, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has imposed an immediate ban on the establishment, operation and advertisement of university sub-campuses at the tehsil level across Punjab and throughout the country. The decision, conveyed through an official notification has sent shockwaves through private and public sector universities that had been rapidly expanding into smaller districts. According to the directive all pending and pipeline sub-campus projects have been suspended with immediate effect. Universities have been instructed to halt admissions, recruitment, land acquisition and construction activities linked to such campuses. The HEC has also clarified that no new no-objection certificates (NOCs), accreditations, or permissions will be issued for sub-campuses at the tehsil level until further notice. The crackdown comes after internal reviews revealed that many of these sub-campuses in Punjab and other provinces were operating far below academic standards. Key concerns highlighted in the notification include a severe shortage of PhD-qualified faculty, inadequate student enrolment and weak infrastructure. The HEC has declared that sub-campuses established without prior approval will not be granted academic status and degrees issued by such institutions will not be recognized. An HEC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the step was taken after repeated warnings were ignored, adding that several institutions were prioritizing expansion over quality which directly compromises students' futures. "We cannot allow degree-awarding bodies to function without meeting minimum academic benchmarks," he added. Investigations reveal that many illegal or unapproved sub-campuses were operating under the umbrella of parent universities but without formal clearance from the HEC. In the big cities of Punjab, these campuses often rented small buildings in tehsil towns, offering limited programmes with part-time or visiting faculty. In several cases, classes were conducted only on weekends, raising serious questions about academic rigor. Sources in the education sector indicate that some universities used aggressive marketing campaigns to attract students in rural and semi-urban areas, promising recognized degrees and modern facilities. However, on-ground realities painted a different picture with students facing issues such as a lack of laboratories, libraries, and qualified teaching staff. A senior official from the Punjab Higher Education Department said they received multiple complaints from students and parents regarding the poor quality of education at these sub-campuses. "In many cases, students were misled about the recognition status of their degrees. This action by the HEC is necessary to restore trust in the system." The issue has gained urgency in recent years as universities increasingly sought to explore untapped markets in smaller towns. Education experts believe that the absence of strict monitoring allowed institutions to exploit regulatory gaps. "Some universities established sub-campuses without proper feasibility studies. They lacked essential facilities and relied heavily on temporary faculty. This is not sustainable for quality higher education," said Muzaffad Mahmood an academic based in Lahore.