Pindi's 25 colleges slated for privatisation

Following the privatisation of government schools, the Punjab government has now moved to offer 71 public-sector colleges for sale to the private sector.

The process has also commenced for the sale of 18 women's colleges established across various union councils (UCs) in Rawalpindi by former Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed.

Within the Rawalpindi Division alone, 25 colleges have been placed on the privatisation list. Overall, the institutions earmarked for sale include 38 boys' colleges, two co-education colleges, and 31 girls' colleges. In Rawalpindi city, Government Girls College Dhok Ilaahi Bakhsh is also being outsourced.

The list further includes boys' colleges in Chak Beli Khan and Taxila in Rawalpindi district, eight colleges in Attock district, and three colleges in Murree district, including Government Associate Girls College Phagwari, Government Associate Girls College Kotli Sattian, and Government Associate Boys College Kotli Sattian. Additionally, five colleges in Chakwal district, two in Jhelum district, and three in Talagang district have also been included.

According to official sources, the privatisation process will begin with the start of the new year in January 2026. However, the decision has met with strong opposition from the Professors and Lecturers Association, which has announced the launch of a province-wide protest movement following the winter holidays.

Division-wise, the colleges slated for privatisation include four in Bahawalpur Division, five in Dera Ghazi Khan Division, six in Faisalabad Division, nine in Gujranwala Division, nine in Gujrat Division, two in Multan Division, one in Sahiwal Division, 25 in Rawalpindi Division, and nine in Sargodha Division.

Following privatisation, lecturers and professors from these institutions will be transferred to vacant positions in other government colleges.