ISLAMABAD: The federal government has announced the establishment of Daanish University in Islamabad as part of the Budget 2025-26, following the directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
According to the report, in his budget speech, Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb said the government is focusing on setting up Daanish Schools for talented students from underdeveloped areas.
A total of 11 new Daanish Schools are planned—three in Azad Jammu & Kashmir, three in Gilgit-Baltistan, four in Balochistan, and one in Islamabad. For this initiative, Rs9.8 billion has been allocated under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) 2025-26.
This step reflects the government’s strong commitment to providing modern education and training in remote and backward regions.
The Prime Minister also announced the launch of Daanish University in Islamabad, which will be an extension of the Daanish School project. This university will offer free, world-class higher education to students from disadvantaged backgrounds, especially in emerging fields like technology, engineering, education, health, and IT.
The university will include modern infrastructure, trained faculty, research facilities, and equal learning opportunities. In the coming year, work will begin on master planning, construction of academic and residential blocks, and recruitment of essential staff.
Officials say this project will support education, job creation, social equality, and regional development.
More Education Projects Announced;
The federal budget also includes new plans for Early Childhood Education centres, computer labs, and a National Institute of Excellence. These are aimed at improving access to education, reducing dropout rates, and raising overall academic standards. For these projects, Rs18.5 billion has been earmarked in the PSDP.
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Rs4.79 Billion for Science & Technology Projects;
The government has also allocated Rs4.792 billion for 24 ongoing Science and Technology projects in the upcoming financial year.
According to the budget documents:
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Rs850 million will be used for research and innovation programs at PCSIR to support industrial research and product development.
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Rs380 million has been set aside for facilities related to the cultivation and processing of medicinal plants and industrial hemp at PCSIR and Arid Agriculture University.
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Rs350 million has been reserved for the upgrade of the Pakistan Museum of Natural History, which includes modernizing exhibits and strengthening research infrastructure.
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Rs305 million will be spent on gene editing of biological agents for nutrition and therapeutic use.
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Rs250 million has been allocated for the Quality Seed Production and Supply for Food Security Project, aiming to improve crop production and long-term food security.
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Rs245 million has been earmarked for the digital transformation and automation of PCSIR.
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Over Rs200 million will go to setting up a National Centre of Failure Analysis at the Institute of Space Technology.
