GHULAM ABBAS
ISLAMABAD:The Chief Minister of Gilgit-Baltistan has called for the transfer of Rs 1 billion from the Gilgit-Baltistan Council to the Government of Gilgit-Baltistan to address the financial challenges faced by Karakoram International University (KIU) and University of Baltistan (UoB).
In a letter to the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister expressed gratitude for the government’s commitment to improving literacy in neglected areas and highlighted the financial struggles of KIU. Established in 2002 under a Presidential Order, KIU provides higher education to over 10,000 students across its main campus in Gilgit and sub-campuses in Hunza, Ghizer, and Diamer. However, the university has faced severe financial issues in recent years due to stagnant funding from the Higher Education Commission since 2018.
The letter emphasized the need for an endowment fund to ensure the operational expenditure and academic standards of KIU are maintained. It also mentioned similar financial difficulties faced by Baltistan University in Skardu.
The Chief Minister urged the Prime Minister to direct the transfer of funds from the GB Council to establish the endowment fund, which would help achieve financial autonomy for the universities and foster regional development through academic excellence.
The call for support underlines the critical need for sustainable financial solutions to uplift higher education in Gilgit-Baltistan.
