More varsities extend enhanced Housing Allowance

85% increase, first adopted by NED, is now being paid by Dawood and BBSUL from their own resources

KARACHI:

A growing number of public-sector universities in Sindh have begun implementing the federal government's enhanced House Ceiling Allowance for employees, providing a significant financial boost to both teaching and non-teaching staff amid rising living costs.

After the adoption of the revised allowance by NED University of Engineering and Technology, two more Karachi-based institutions - Dawood University of Engineering and Technology and Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University Lyari - have started paying the increased allowance to their employees.

Officials at both universities confirmed that the allowance is being paid with an 85 per cent increase and is being released along with employees' monthly salaries.

The enhancement was originally announced as part of the federal government's 2025-26 budget and was implemented through a notification issued in November 2025.

Sources at Dawood University told The Express Tribune that the institution obtained approval for the revised allowance after securing endorsements from its Syndicate and Senate, followed by formal approval from the Sindh Chief Minister as the university's controlling authority.

According to university officials, the Chief Minister approved the proposal on the condition that no financial burden would be transferred to the Sindh government.

"We are funding the enhanced allowance from the university's own resources," a senior official said. "Through effective financial planning, the university has sufficient funds and grants available to support the increase without seeking additional government assistance."

Meanwhile, officials at Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University Lyari said employees had been urging the administration to adopt the revised allowance after similar measures were introduced at NED University and Dawood University.

"Since the House Ceiling Allowance was already being paid as part of employees' monthly salaries, the university decided to adopt the increase as well," an official said, adding that salaries for April, paid in May, included the enhanced allowance.

NED University has been paying the revised House Ceiling Allowance to its employees for several months. Under the revised structure, the allowance for Grade-22 officers has increased from approximately Rs89,000 to Rs165,000 per month.