Higher education sector in Pakistan has achieved a remarkable milestone, with numerous universities earning positions in the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2026.
The results reflect steady improvement in academic quality, research innovation, and institutional performance across the expanding network of higher education institutions.
The National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) retained its top spot in Pakistan, ranking 68th in Asia, followed by Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) at 89th position.
The Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) secured 129th rank, reaffirming its status as a regional leader in business and management education.
The 2026 edition highlights widening academic presence, with universities from Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, and Faisalabad contributing to the growing educational footprint.
Other strong performers include COMSATS University Islamabad (150), University of the Punjab (151), University of Lahore (187), and University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore (192).
Regional leaders such as University of Peshawar (226), University of Agriculture Faisalabad (232), and Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) (238) also earned significant recognition.
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Additional institutions like Aga Khan University (Karachi), Air University (Islamabad), University of Karachi, and Government College University Lahore strengthened Pakistan’s regional standing.
Their rankings ranged between 298 and 410, demonstrating the consistent rise of Pakistani universities in Asia’s competitive academic landscape.
The QS Asia University Rankings, launched in 2009, evaluate universities using indicators such as academic and employer reputation, faculty ratio, research quality, and global engagement.
The assessment included PhD-qualified staff ratio, international student presence, faculty diversity, research output, and student exchange participation to ensure balanced evaluation.
| Rank (Pakistan) | University | City | Asia Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) | Islamabad | 68 |
| 2 | Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) | Islamabad | 89 |
| 3 | Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) | Lahore | 129 |
| 4 | COMSATS University Islamabad | Islamabad | 150 |
| 5 | University of the Punjab | Lahore | 151 |
| 6 | University of Lahore | Lahore | 187 |
| 7 | University of Engineering and Technology (UET) | Lahore | 192 |
| 8 | University of Peshawar | Peshawar | 226 |
| 9 | University of Agriculture Faisalabad | Faisalabad | 232 |
| 10 | Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) | Islamabad | 238 |
