Karachi University unable to pay staff, utility bills as financial crisis worsens

KARACHI: Karachi University's financial crisis has worsened so much so that the country's largest public university does not have enough funds to pay off its staff, research expenses, and utility bills.

On Wednesday, several cheques handed to staffers bounced because of not enough amount in varsity's accounts. The institution's financial deficit has exceeded Rs700 million.

The varsity needs Rs600 million on immediate basis to help run its affairs.

While the annual budget of the institution is Rs5 billion, the Higher Education Commission (HEC) provides Rs1.7 billion and the varsity collects Rs1.8 billion itself.

"Research work in the university has come to a halt due to insufficient funds," KU's Vice Chancellor Dr. Muhammad Ajmal said. "Instruments used for research in different faculties are not in working condition and the university is unable to replace them due to lack of funds."

He added that the roofs of buildings allotted to numerous departments are in a shabby condition

Dr. Ajmal has appealed the center and provincial government to provide funds to the university on emergency basis.