Islami Jamiat-e-Talab rejects anti-education federal budget, demands educational emergency

Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba Pakistan has strongly rejected the federal budget 2026–27, terming it anti-student, anti-youth, and harmful

Lahore: Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba Pakistan has strongly rejected the federal budget 2026–27, terming it anti-student, anti-youth, and harmful for the education sector. The organization has demanded the immediate declaration of an educational emergency in the country.

Addressing a press conference at the central office of Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba in Lahore, the organization’s National President, Sahibzada Wasim Haider, stated that the federal budget has caused deep disappointment among students and young people. He was accompanied by Provincial South Punjab Nazim Huzifa Usman and Secretary Information Hasnat Dogar.

He said that despite the country facing severe educational challenges, the government has failed to prioritize education. Instead of allocating sufficient resources to the education sector, it has continued to ignore it, which may further deepen the existing educational crisis.

Sahibzada Wasim Haider highlighted that the lack of a significant increase in the budget of the Higher Education Commission (HEC) reflects the government’s lack of seriousness towards higher education. He pointed out that universities across the country are already struggling with financial constraints, rising operational costs, and administrative challenges. In such a situation, inadequate funding will further weaken the higher education system and compromise academic standards.

He further stated that approximately 26.2 million children in Pakistan are currently out of school, which represents a national tragedy. However, the federal budget does not include any effective, comprehensive, or emergency-level plan to address this critical issue. He emphasized that without investment in education, the dream of a prosperous and developed Pakistan cannot be achieved.

The Jamiat leader also pointed out that students are currently facing multiple hardships, including increasing tuition fees, lack of accommodation facilities, expensive transportation, rising educational expenses, and uncertain employment prospects. However, the budget does not provide any clear relief or policy framework to support students or secure their future. He stressed that although Pakistan has a majority youth population, their needs and challenges continue to be ignored in national policymaking.

Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba Pakistan demanded the immediate declaration of an educational emergency in the country. The organization called for a national-level emergency plan to bring out-of-school children into the education system. It further demanded a significant increase in funding for the Higher Education Commission, the establishment of a special fund to address the financial crisis in universities, and a gradual increase in education expenditure to at least four percent of the country’s GDP.

Warning of serious consequences, Sahibzada Wasim Haider stated that continued neglect of education, students, and youth would lead to severe social, economic, and national repercussions. He urged the government to stop treating youth as a burden and instead recognize them as the country’s greatest national asset. He emphasized that investment in education, training, and youth development must be made the government’s top priority.