KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has briefed PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on the University of Larkano’s academic operations, finances, infrastructure and outstanding challenges.
The discussion highlighted the need for additional provincial funding, campus repairs and development support to expand access to higher education in Larkana Division and nearby underserved areas. The university’s estimated resources for 2026–27 total Rs894.568 million, while its projected annual deficit is Rs524.311 million. The briefing also noted that no Higher Education Commission grant has been allocated.
Established under the Larkano Act, 2023, the university began operating on January 1, 2024. It was formed by combining four public-sector institutions, although the merger process remains incomplete. The university operates across sites covering about 528.5 acres and has five faculties, 16 departments and 26 academic programmes, including courses in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and software engineering.
Officials also discussed two development proposals: a modified Rs1.486 billion plan for the existing QUEST Campus Larkano project, and a separate Rs2.03 billion proposal to address urgent institutional and infrastructure needs over three fiscal years. The chief minister called for government cooperation to complete the merger of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Law College Larkano, a step linked to the university’s eligibility for HEC funding.
HEC Chairman Prof. Tariq Rafi, Sindh Assembly Speaker Awais Qadir Shah, PPP leaders and other officials attended the briefing.
