Students and parents of the Abbottabad campus of COMSATS University Islamabad have appealed to Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal to immediately release Rs3.56 billion for the construction and development of the university’s permanent campus at Dhamthor.
They warned that continued delays in funding could affect the educational future of more than 6,000 students currently enrolled at the campus, which is operating from leased premises scheduled to be handed over to the Pakistan Army by 2031.
In their appeal, students and parents said the timely completion of the permanent campus is essential to ensure uninterrupted academic activities and preserve the university’s role as a major centre for higher education and research in the Hazara region.
Established in 2001, COMSATS Abbottabad has grown into one of the region’s largest higher education institutions. The university currently offers 19 undergraduate and 32 graduate programmes through 14 academic departments and attracts students from across Pakistan and abroad.
Funding Delays Affect Campus Development
According to university stakeholders, the Central Development Working Party approved a PC-I worth Rs3.4857 billion in May 2021 for the development of the permanent campus. The project includes academic blocks, laboratories, administrative offices and other essential facilities.
However, despite the approval, the required funds have yet to be released, slowing progress on the project. Although land for the Dhamthor campus was acquired in 2011, only one academic block has been completed so far.
University officials said several critical facilities, including lecture halls, classrooms, laboratories and administrative buildings, remain under construction and require urgent financial support.
Key Role in Higher Education and Research
The Abbottabad campus currently operates 90 laboratories equipped with modern research and teaching facilities. It has a faculty strength of 386 members, including 212 PhD scholars engaged in teaching and research across multiple disciplines.
Since 2011, the university has produced more than 20,000 graduates at bachelor’s and master’s levels, while around 450 scholars have completed doctoral studies. The institution has also published over 30,000 research papers, reflecting its contribution to academic and scientific development.
Students from the university have achieved recognition in national and international competitions and have benefited from exchange and collaborative programmes with universities around the world.
Concerns Over 2031 Deadline
Students and parents noted that the lease period for the current campus is gradually approaching its end, while completion of the remaining infrastructure at the permanent site could take an additional three to four years.
They argued that further delays in funding could create significant challenges in relocating academic operations before the 2031 deadline. They also warned that rising construction and labour costs could increase the overall project budget if work is not expedited.
The students and parents have urged the Ministry of Planning and Development and the Ministry of Science and Technology to accelerate the release of funds to ensure the timely completion of the project and secure educational opportunities for future generations.
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